Author Irene Drago comes to Thomaston to launch new book set in Thomaston

Event Location: 

Watts Hall, 174 Main Street, Thomaston, ME

Event Date: 

Saturday, October 22, 2022 – 2:00pm

Penbay Pilot News online 10.2.22

THOMASTON — Historic Watts Hall in Downtown Thomaston is the site of Irene Drago’s author’s remarks and book launch, Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. Drago, Bath resident and author of three books about Maine, has centered her latest story, Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers, in Thomaston during its shipbuilding period between 1865 and 1924.

This seafaring story is inspired by and based on the letters and papers of the Elliott/Dunn sail making families and leaders in Thomaston’s sailing heyday. Although a work of historical fiction, the book is grounded in extensive research using the letters and papers of two of Thomaston’s prominent sail and ship building families, the Elliotts and the Dunns, provided by Elliott descendant, Ida Elliott Clark, as well as records from the Thomaston Historical Society. Peggy McCrea, Thomaston’s town historian also provided materials and expertise to make sure that names and places and events within the fictional framework are historically accurate.

Although many books use Maine as the setting for stories, Thomaston and nearby communities are in the spotlight in Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers. Readers can locate homes and streets from the book that are easily spotted driving or walking through Historic Thomaston.

Drago also brings the story forward into the 20th century to share the continuing impact of the Elliott/Dunn clan. The US Navy recently decommissioned the USS Elliott named in honor of Jack Elliott, a Vietnam war hero. Through these generational connections, Drago continues to remind us that history “is, not was” and that we are all surrounded by the efforts of and custodians for the dreams of those who come before us.

“Through these generational connections, Drago continues to remind us that history ‘is, not was’ and that we are all surrounded by the efforts of and custodians for the dreams of those who come before us,” said a news release.

Before moving to Maine, Drago worked for the Defense Department as a Russian analyst, earned a Master of Arts degree in Spanish language and literature, and taught at the high school and college level. Her previous books are Daughters of Long Reach and The Maine Point. Drago is the recipient of a Next Generation Indie Book Award and a Spirit of Bath Award.

Author’s Remarks begin at 2 p.m., followed by refreshments and book signing.

This is a free event sponsored by Charlie and Susan Grover and hosted by the Cushing Public Library, members of the Elliott family, the General Henry Knox Museum, the Thomaston Historical Society, the Thomaston Public Library, Watts Hall Community Arts, and the Watts Hall Community Players.