Wareham got a little history lesson at Tuesday night's Board of Selectmen's meeting when the town accepted a gift from Onset artist Josephine Thoms.

The painting depicts the attack on Wareham by the British warship, the HMS Nimrod, during the War of 1812.

The painting will be displayed during the 2014 Summer of Celebration which will commemorate both the 200th anniversary of the attack of the HMS Nimrod and the 275th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Wareham.

"What an awesome job," Selectman Patrick Tropeano commented.

Thoms, an Onset summer resident, used historical records and photos to assist her in recreating the scene. She said that she was motivated in large part by love of the town she lives in.

"I've been coming here for more years that most of you have lived," said the soon-to-be 91-year-old Thoms.

Thoms once worked as an illustrator for the state of Maryland, and said she loved being able to put her feet in the water here in Wareham.

"The beauty of this town is, it's open," she said, comparing it to her native state.