Folk musician Rick Spencer will perform songs from the World War I era at 7 p.m. July 27 at the Fort Trumbull Conference Center in New London.

Presented by the Friends of Fort Trumbull, Spencer’s free performance will highlight songs from the battlefield and the homeland that expressed patriotism, tragedy, grief, hope, and even some humor. The songs helped unite and inspire combatants and the general citizenry.

Spencer is known internationally for his work as a historian, researcher, singer, songwriter and performer of music in the American folk tradition. He has served as site administrator of the Hempsted Houses in New London and as the executive director of the Dr. Ashbel Woodward Museum in Franklin.

Secretary for the board of directors of the New London County Historical Society and a renowned sea music singer, Spencer has worked aboard tall ships from the days of sail and has been an instructor on sailing ships in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The Fort Trumbull Conference Center is at 90 Walbach St. For information, visit www.fortfriends.org.