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AUGUSTA — The Kennebec Historical Society’s February presentation will be “The Life and Mysterious Death of Maine-Born Millionaire Sir Harry Oakes.”
Born in Sangerville in 1879, Harry Oakes’ life experiences took him to six continents, earned him a knighthood as well as a personal fortune rivaling all others, but also ended in a 1943 murder that remains unsolved.
The presentation, by former educator and historian David Leigh, will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, 209 Eastern Ave.
Portrayed by Gene Hackman in the 1983 film “Eureka,” Oakes’ career, fortune and death garnered world-wide attention even though he never forgot his Maine roots. He is buried in the bucolic beauty of the East Dover Cemetery.
Leigh’s career in Maine education spanned 31 years as a teacher, high school principal and community college instructor. In retirement Leigh has continued to direct the Time/Newsweek Cover Project. Begun with his students in 1972, the collection now includes over 1,100 autographed news magazine covers, some dating as far back as 1938. In addition, he has presented enrichment lectures on cruise ship to the Canadian Maritimes, the Caribbean and to Great Britain. He and wife Ann own and manage a 62-acre tree farm in Belgrade.
The Kennebec Historical Society’s February presentation is free to the public, though donations are accepted.
PHOTO: Millionaire Harry Oakes, a Maine native who was mysteriously murdered in 1942, will be the topic of a Kennebec Historical Society presentation Feb. 21. (Submitted photo)
