Cape Ann Museum’s Saturday Showcase presents Invasion of Sandy Bay author Anita Sanchez.

The Cape Ann Museum invites families to a program by former Cape Ann Resident and author Anita Sanchez. On Saturday, October 17 at 11:00 a.m. Anita Sanchez will discuss the process of uncovering the true story of the attack on Rockport during the War of 1812. This is a free family event. After the performance examine documents and artifacts from the Museum’s Collection related to the War of 1812 and visit the Education Room for related activities.

The novel The Invasion of Sandy Bay reveals a little-known part of the rich history of Cape Ann during the War of 1812. Only days after the British invaded Washington, D.C. and burned the White House, they also attacked Rockport, MA. But it was a very unusual invasion, and in a surprising twist of fate, the British and Americans ended up cooperating with each other. The author will discuss the process of uncovering the true story of this peaceful invasion in a lively program suitable for all ages.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Anita Sanchez spent her early childhood on Cape Ann, the setting for her first children’s book, The Invasion of Sandy Bay. She then lived in upstate New York, and attended Vassar College, where she was one of the first students to declare a new major that was introduced after the first Earth Day in 1970: Ecology. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology and Conservation in 1977. She spent thirty years with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as an educator. She is the author of The Teeth of the Lion: The Story of the Beloved and Despised Dandelion, and Mr. Lincoln’s Chair: The Shakers and Their Quest for Peace. Today, Anita works with the public, from preschoolers to senior citizens, schools, and adult groups, providing educational programs on natural and cultural history. She lives in Amsterdam, New York, with her husband, George Steele, a free-lance environmental educator, and her two sons Alex and Timothy.

Introduced in September 2005, Saturday Showcase is designed to bring parents and children into the Museum to share enriching experiences. The focus is on the visual and performing arts, with strong ties to Cape Ann. Painters, musicians, dancers, and storytellers are among the artists who have presented programs. Funding to support the Saturday Showcase series has been provided by The Goldhirsh Foundation.

The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Museum is closed during the month of February, on Mondays, and on major holidays. Admission is $8.00 adults, $6.00 Cape Ann residents and seniors, $4.50 students. Children under 12 and Museum members are free. The Museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information please call: (978) 283-0455. Additional information can be found online at www.capeannmuseum.org.