In an effort to create the most interesting and comprehensive historic riverside walking trail along the Penobscot, the city is hosting a conference on the region's history and is inviting experts from Maine and other states.

A team of historians and other experts, including one from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., will descend on Brewer for a two-day conference Sept. 12-13 to discuss the Historic Waterfront Trail System.

"They've been tasked, within their specific area of expertise, to identify the most significant historic elements [of the region] for the Brewer waterfront," Drew Sachs, economic development director, said Wednesday. "They'll be debating to see which ones they think are the most important and significant" to include in displays along the trail.

Construction on the trail itself is expected to begin next summer.

The 10 experts invited include professionals from Maine, Maryland and Washington, D.C., plus 15 or so museum curators from the region.

The city doesn't want just plaques with history printed on them. It wants attractive interactive displays that draw people of all ages, history buffs and tourists to the Penobscot River, D'arcy Main-Boyington, the city's deputy director of economic development, said recently.

The trail system is expected to include a river history museum that spotlights the region's history, industries and cultures; a visitor’s center; an interactive informational kiosk; and audiovisual interactive displays. The conference will determine how the history will be displayed and what should work best for Brewer, Sachs said.

The trail will run the length of Penobscot Landing, the city's planned waterfront redevelopment, which starts near the Penobscot Bridge and extends to the former Eastern Fine Paper Co. mill.

"This is part of our commitment to protect and celebrate our city's history as part of the redevelopment of our waterfront," Mayor Joe Ferris said Wednesday. "We couldn't have pulled together a more qualified group of individuals to help with this project, and I'm confident the results will prove that out."

Informal Learning Experiences Inc. of Washington, D.C., was hired by the Brewer City Council in July to create the trail's concept designs and will at the invitation-only conference.

Walking trails are planned for both sides of the river, and part of the design firm's job is to ensure the two plans are comparable and do not duplicate features.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development is funding $50,000 of the $62,500 concept plan costs, with the city's match being the remaining $12,500.

During the second day of the conference, the individual experts will make presentations on their recommendations and findings.

A copyright story from the Bangor Daily News, Thursday, September 1, 2005.