First Amendment Museum CEO is Kennebec Historical Society guest speaker

AUGUSTA — The Kennebec Historical Society’s October Facebook Live Presentation is “Introduction to the First Amendment Museum,” presented on the society Facebook page at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.
In 1789, James Madison penned the First Amendment – protecting freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

A century later, W.H. Gannett, of Augusta, used those freedoms to publish Comfort magazine, the first American magazine to reach 1 million paid subscriptions. His son, Guy Gannett, expanded the business to become Gannett Communications, establishing newspaper, radio and TV brands still recognized in the state today. Now, his granddaughters are instrumental in creating a museum in his former home at 184 State St., in Augusta.
First Museum CEO Christian Cotz explores the history of Madison, the First Amendment and the Gannett family, and shares the latest developments in the evolution of the First Amendment Museum.
Cotz was hired as CEO at the First Amendment Museum in January. Before that, he spent 20 years managing public programming at James Madison’s Montpelier in central Virginia. Cotz was deeply involved in Montpelier’s relationship-building work with the descendant community, and was the project director for the celebrated exhibition, The Mere Distinction of Colour, which won six national museum awards.
To view the presentation, visit the www.facebook.com/KHS1891″>KHS Facebook page, and the video will air live. It will also be available to watch later. Questions may be submitted in the comment area during the live video presentation. Call Scott Wood, administrative director, 207-622-7718, with questions.