Local Underground Railroad book to be Vassalboro talk topic Feb. 18

VASSALBORO – Vassalboro Community Library and Vassalboro Historical Society are co-hosting a talk by local historian and author, Dale Potter-Clark, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the library, 930 Bog Road.
Potter-Clark will discuss her new historical novel about the Underground Railroad, “Escape from Bunker Hill,” which tells a story about a native Maine couple that moves to Jacksonville, Florida, to help enslaved people escape north. A group of four of the refugees travel along

1,500 miles of the eastern seaboard until they reach Portland, then proceed to Hallowell and other towns in central Maine
“Although the main characters, Dr. Joseph and Myra Mitchell, existed, their tale in my novel comes from my imagination,” Potter-Clark said. “I was inspired when researching their ‘real’ home in Readfield and evidence led me to suspect they’d been involved in the Underground Railroad. It is challenging to find proof that most anyone was involved in the secretive and dangerous movement so I did not find confirmation that Mitchells were – even after speaking to some of their descendants – but their story would not leave my head and this novel is the result.”
The book has a 35-page appendix with pictures that provides information about the real Mitchells as well as abolitionists, events, places, publications and organizations that really existed and are included in the novel.
Representatives from the Vassalboro Historical Society will take questions, as will Potter-Clark, after her talk. “Escape from Bunker Hill” will be available to buy, and she will also sign copies. A percentage of book sales will benefit the Vassalboro Library and Historical Society. Storm date is Saturday, March 4.
Contact Brian Stanley at the Vassalboro Library, 207-923-3233 or vplibrary@gmail.com, for more information.