In light of Hanover's 250th anniversary this summer, native, historian and author Frank J. "Jay" Barrett Jr. decided to come up with a "birthday present" for the town. And you don't have to wait until the main festivities this summer to open it.

According to a news release from the Howe Library, Barrett will deliver three lectures related to Hanover's early history at the library, starting later this month.

On May 11, Barrett will speak on "The Chartering and Founding of Hanover, New Hampshire and Dartmouth College," including who the founders and settlers were, where they came from, the town charter's conditions and requirements, how Hanover was laid out, and how Dartmouth came to be located there.

On May 25, Barrett will address "The Settlement of Hanover and Dartmouth College, 1770-1795," covering the early period of settlement for the college and the community.

On June 8, Barrett will take up "The Western Rebellion, 1776-1784," recounting the story of how a political rebellion arose in Hanover with the aim of breaking the Connecticut Valley towns away from New Hampshire and creating the state of New Connecticut.

All three talks will be held at 7 p.m. in the Mayer Room of the Howe Library.

According to the release, Barrett, an architect by training, was president of the Hanover Historical Society from 1998-2000. In 2010 and 2011, he offered a course on the history of Dartmouth and Hanover through the ILEAD program. He is the author of four pictorial history books: Hanover, New Hampshire; Hanover, New Hampshire, Volume II; Early Dartmouth College and Downtown Hanover; and Hartford, Vermont.

Barrett's lectures are co-sponsored by Howe Library, the Hanover Historical Society, and the Hanover 250 Commemoration Committee.

For more information, contact the Howe Library at 603-643-4120, or email reference@thehowe.org.