Maine Poet Pam Burr Smith to Headline 2026 Freedom Summer Reading Series

The Freedom Community Historical Society is thrilled to host celebrated Maine author, poet, therapist, and painter Pam Burr Smith on July 19, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. as the inaugural event in the Freedom Summer Reading Series. 

Smith’s extensive literary footprint includes short stories, essays, articles, and poetry published in numerous prestigious journals, such as:

• The Georgia Review

• The Kansas Quarterly

• Slow Dancer

• The Cafe Review

  
  

Smith will be reading some of her work and then hosting an audience Q&A. 

Smith is also the author of two full-length poetry books: Heaven Jumping Woman (Moon Pie Press, 2011) and Near Stars (Blackberry Books, 2019). Her broader bibliography includes the 2019 chapbook She Speaks and a 2001 book on Narrative Therapy titled Living Conversations (Fresh Press).

A decorated voice in our region's literary scene, Smith’s honors include an Honorable Mention by beloved poet Mary Oliver in the MWPA Poetry Chapbook Contest, as well as the Finest Poem Prize at the Plunkett Poetry Festival at UMA.

The Freedom Town Meeting House, nestled at the rural intersection of North Palermo Road and Town House Road in Freedom, Maine, provides an intimate, historic backdrop well-suited for an afternoon of local authorship and community discussion.

FCHS’ Summer Reading Series spotlights local authors who have captivated readers across Maine, New England, and beyond with their work. 

This event will be recorded and posted on the Freedom Community Historical Society’s YouTube channel.