New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias will present a virtual, illustrated program at 7pm on Thursday, October 29 about the King Philips War between the colonists and Native Americans in 1675-76, and the years preceding it. Hosted by the Centers for Culture and History in Orleans (the CHO), the program is free to CHO and Chatham Marconi Maritime Center members; guest tickets are $5. Reservations must be made in advance by clicking the ticket button above or: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
November 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing in Plymouth and establishing the first permanent colonial settlement in the New World. Crucial to success was their friendship with Wampanoag leader Massasoit. Ironically, Massasoit’s son Metacom, also known as Philip, went to war with the colonists to try to regain their tribal land. This war, known as King Philip’s War, had the highest casualty rate per-capita of any conflict fought by Americans including the Civil War. While most people understand the significance of the landing of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving with Massasoit, few are aware of the war and its ramifications.
Tougias is one of the country’s leading authorities on this period and is the co-author of the definitive history of the war titled King Philip’s War: The History and Legacy of America’s Forgotten Conflict. He is also the author of the acclaimed Until I Have No Country: A Novel of King Philip’s War.
The first part of the October 29 presentation will discuss the Native American way of life, the landing of the Mayflower, the growing colonial settlements and the events leading up to the war. The second part covers the battles and the strategy of both sides during this cataclysmic event. Slides include battle sites, period sketches, historic markers, maps, and suggestions for visiting places of interest. Tougias also discusses the challenges of writing a historic novel and the research for both books.
Tougias is the author and co-author of 29 non-fiction books including the The Finest Hours, the story of the Coast Guard’s most daring rescue involving the CG 36500 motor lifeboat owned and operated by the CHO, that was made into a Disney movie released in 2016.
CHO/CMMC members and guests who have made reservations will receive further instructions and a private link to the Tougias presentation prior to the event. They also will be able to submit questions online during the talk that the author will address at the end of the session.
