NEWBURYPORT — The Custom House Maritime Museum’s next First Friday lecture, “Bringing the Birth of the Coast Guard to Life,” takes place Friday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m., and features former United States Coast Guard Officer Bob Pokress.
Pokress is a 1969 graduate of the USCG Academy. His tours of duty included serving as navigator and operations officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mariposa, as commanding officer of Coast Guard LORAN C Station Port Clarence Alaska, and as the program manager for the construction of a new class of inland Coast Guard buoy tenders.
Since leaving the service 50 years ago, Pokress developed technologies for the preservation of historic documents, including at the U.S. National Archives. His research has uncovered new insights into the essential role George Washington played in the establishment of the Coast Guard and the Revenue-Marine’s first commissioned cutter.
Importantly, the construction of the USRC Massachusetts played a vital role in the abolition movement. He will present and then discuss the behind-the-scenes stories in his 20-minute documentary, “Washington, Hamilton, Lincoln and The Birth of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
The lecture is free to members and $10 for non-members. To sign up, visit: customhousemaritimemuseum.org/events/