Press Release | For Immediate Release
Centennial Seppala Expedition Author & Musher to Speak at Poland Spring Heritage Day
Celebrating Maine’s New State Dog, the Seppala Siberian Sleddog
POLAND SPRING, MAINE: (September 23, 2025) – Maine adventurer, author, and musher Jonathan Nathaniel Hayes will be a featured speaker at Poland Spring Heritage Day with a special talk and book signing highlighting his recent Centennial Seppala Expedition across Alaska and Maine’s historic recognition of the Seppala Siberian Sleddog as the official state dog.
Hayes, owner of Poland Spring Seppala Siberian Kennel, recently completed a 750 mile dog sled journey across Alaska, retracing the legendary 1925 Serum Run from Nenana to Nome. This expedition, undertaken with a single team of rare Seppala Siberians, honored the 20 original mushers who risked their lives to deliver diphtheria serum to Nome during a deadly epidemic.
At Poland Heritage Day, Hayes will share firsthand stories of survival, leadership, and the powerful bond between mushers and their dogs, as told in his newly released memoir, One Hundred Winters: Retracing the Great Race Against Death. He will also discuss the successful effort to secure legislative recognition of the Seppala as the Maine State Dog in 2025, ensuring the preservation of this historic and endangered working breed.
“This event is a homecoming for both me and the dogs,” Hayes said. “The Seppala Siberian isn’t just a breed—it’s living history. From saving lives in Nome to pulling me across blizzards at seventy-below windchill, these dogs carry the spirit of perseverance that Maine and Alaska share.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Hayes, hear selections from his book, view expedition photographs, and learn more about Maine’s unique role in preserving Seppala bloodlines. Signed copies of One Hundred Winters will be available for purchase.
Event Details:
What: Centennial Seppala Expedition Talk & Book Signing
When: [September 27, 11AM]
Where: Poland Spring Heritage Day, [All Souls Chapel – 37 Preservation Way, Poland Spring, Maine]
Who: Author, adventurer, and musher Jonathan Nathaniel Hayes
About Jonathan Nathaniel Hayes
Jonathan Nathaniel Hayes is a musher, author, and adventurer from Poland Spring, Maine. He owns and operates Poland Spring Seppala Siberian Kennel, one of the few kennels in North America dedicated to preserving the endangered Seppala Siberian Sleddog. His memoir, One Hundred Winters: Retracing the Great Race Against Death, chronicles his 2025 expedition retracing the original Serum Run route across Alaska. Hayes is also host of the podcast Explorer with Jonathan Nathaniel Hayes.
ABOUT POLAND SPRING PRESERVATION SOCIETY:
Founded in 1976, The Poland Spring Preservation Society is a 501c3 non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the unique historical architecture of the Maine State Building and the All Souls Chapel, one of a kind structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Maine State Building was constructed for the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago and returned to Maine by the Ricker family of Poland Spring, who had won an award for the purity of their Poland Water at the Exposition. It is one of only 5 buildings that remain and the only state building remaining from the Fair. The All Souls Chapel opened in 1912 under the vision of Sadie Ricker for the guests and staff at Poland Spring.
The three museum buildings are available to book for private parties, weddings, and events.
Connect With Poland Spring Preservation Society: Online | Facebook
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly J. Poland, Poland Media Group – (401) 743-7272, kimberly@polandmediagroup.com
# # #