The Boothbay Region Historical Society will kick off its summer speaker series on June 11 with a presentation by hotelier John Druce.

John and his wife Charlotte’s path to the Boothbay region — and ultimately to ownership of the Spruce Point Inn — began with Charlotte’s father, Raymond Harold, a banker from Worcester, Massachusetts. Finding himself heading into a bad storm while boating in the area, Harold put in to Southport’s Cozy Harbor for protection. So impressed was he with what he saw and the people he met, he rented a cottage on Pratt’s Island for several summers.

Eventually Harold bought a house next to the Spruce Point Inn which had been a vacation landmark in the region since the 1890s. By the time he saw it in 1957, however, the hotel was badly run down and in need of major repair. Nonetheless, Harold bought it and entrusted its management to Charlotte and John.

If, as Paul Harvey used to say, you want to hear “the rest of the story,” John Druce will tell it at the Boothbay Region Historical Society museum on Thursday, June 11, at 4 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served after the program.

Seating is limited and you are encouraged to call the museum at 207-633-0820 to reserve your seat. If leaving a message, give your name, number of seats desired and a phone number. Reserved seats will be held until 3:45 p.m. but thereafter will be given to those who are waiting for seats.

The BRHS museum is open from Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., year-round and is located at 72 Oak Street in Boothbay Harbor. Our local historian, Barbara Rumsey, is available by advance appointment or by walk-in on Saturdays during regular hours.