The Currents of Gardiner’s Growth – A History Where the Cobbossee Stream and Kennebec River meet is among the most vibrant and historic locations in Central Maine and even throughout New England. From its earliest habitation through years of boom and bust, fires and floods, and all that comes with industrial progress, this location of confluence has weathered upturns and depressions that our city and citizens have weathered in turn. From raw natural beauty through rapid and prolonged innovation, set-backs and rebirths, Gardiner continues to grow and adapt. Join us to explore the currents of Gardiner’s past, present, and future, as its history continues to grow. Dawn Thistle is Assistant Director and Special Collections Librarian at Gardiner Public Library. She grew up in Central Maine and spent many happy afternoons in libraries reading about the history of other places. After studying Dramatic Writing at New York University she turned to public service, building trails and tutoring children with AmeriCorps in Colorado, Missouri, and Texas. Upon returning to Maine, she taught teenagers with emotional and behavioral disabilities for nearly a decade. In 2006, she found her way back to libraries and, finally, history. She served as Vassalboro Public Library’s Director for 10 years and joined the Gardiner Public Library staff in 2011, diving swiftly into the amazing historical collections in the Community Archives Room and rarely coming up for air. She is passionate about local history, genealogy, and connecting people with stories and information.