Bienvenue!
The 1st issue of the Franco-American Collection (USM) Newsletter is here! March News & Updates:
This monthly newsletter highlights news from the Franco-American Community. If you have any events, conversation groups, or other resources you’d like mentioned, please reach out to Anna at anna.faherty@maine.edu. Do you have any suggestions as to the name of the newsletter? Don’t hesitate to reach out with suggestions!
Always feel welcome to visit the Collection in person at the USM Lewiston campus!
To contact us:
phone: 207-753-6545
email: anna.faherty@maine.edu
address: 51 Westminster St., Lewiston ME 04240
In memoriam
We would like to recognize the lives of Andrea Quaid and John Huard
Andrea was a long time member of the Franco-American Collection’s Advisory Board,and was passionate about Franco history and the French language. Read more about Andrea here.
Watch a commemorative video about the UMaine Football legend, John Huard here.
FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTION EVENTS
Learn more about the Daughters of the King/Filles du Roi with Judi Fortin Valentine
When: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Where: The Franco-American Collection at USM’s
Lewiston campus, Room 170
(Link to the page on our website)
At the talk, Judi will discuss the remarkable history of the the filles du roi, pioneer women in New France, and how her research into their stories influenced her latest novel. Two years ago, Judi and her husband visited places in Quebec where her ancestors settled and lived for many years. The trip inspired the book The Lost Treasure. Interested in reading more? Click here.
La Francophonie in Maine… Qu’est ce que c’est? A panel discussion
When: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Where: The Franco-American Collection at USM’s
Lewiston campus, Room 170
(Link to the page on our website)
This collaboration between the USM Franco-American Collection and the Alliance Française du Maine is our second panel event under the same name–the first took place in March, 2023. This time, we will feature panelists representing Burundi, Canada, Chad, France, Haiti, the Ivory Coast and the US. Panelists will discuss: how the French language has influenced their lives, their hopes for the future of the French language in Maine, and passing French on to the next generation.
Marceau Crespo de Nogueira, Education & Cultural Project Manager at the Villa Albertine’s Boston office, the cultural division of the French Embassy, will give remarks on educational opportunities to promote French language in Maine.
What else is going on in the Franco-American Community?
La Rencontre At the Franco Center in Lewiston, Maine 
Students from L’École Française du Maine present a special performance of “Le Coeur de Lewiston Maine” , an original play, written by Jennifer Lemaire. To get tickets, click here.
When: March 13, 2025 / 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Franco Center, 46 Cedar St, Lewiston, ME 04240
Sucrerie at UMFK At the Acadian Archives at the University of Maine Fort Kent 
Our traditional Acadian feast is returning this spring. Come for the ployes, chicken stew, tourtière, baked beans, and ham and stay for the music and lively conversation. Stay tuned for more details. No registration necessary. $15 per person at the door and the meal is all-you-can-eat.
When: March 27, 2025
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Nowland Hall, UMFK
To visit the Acadian Archives’s website, click here.
Check out the Alliance Française website here for further fun Franco programs and events happening in March!
Mardis Gras Celebration With UMaine Franco American Programs
Where: 101 Crossland Hall, University of Maine Orono, Maine 04469
For more information, email lisam@maine.edu
Resources
If you’re interested in practicing or speaking French…
French Discussion group at the Scarborough Public Library
All levels of French are welcome!
When: Fourth Thursday of the month, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Where: Library Conference Room
Click here for more information.
Portland French Conversation Table
Come join our French conversation table in Portland every first and third Saturday of the month at 10am! At Burundi Star Coffee 261 St John Street
EVERYONE IS WELCOME! VIVE LA FRANCOPHONIE!
Interested in more French conversation groups check out French Maine USA on Facebook
More resources
If you’re interested in learning more about Acadian history…
Check out the Acadian Archives at the University of Maine Fort Kent!
To access the digital archives click, here.
To see the Acadian Archives event calendar, click here.
For information on visiting the archives in-person, click here.
The Archivist’s Corner
Welcome to the Archivist’s corner where Anna, the archivist at the Franco-American Collection, will share fun facts or highlight exciting collection news!
This image from the Collection shows staff at the Dupont Bakery, 49 Second St. in Auburn. Philippe Dupont founded Dupont Bakery in 1893. Many of his employees went on to open their own businesses in the food industry after leaving his employ. F.R. Lepage opened his own bakery in 1903, with a loan from Philippe Dupont. William Mailhot went on to found a sausage company that is still operated by
his family today. Left to right: Joseph Dupont, Armand Dufresne, Joseph Raymond, Joseph Nadeau, F.R. Lepage, Philippe Dupont (owner), Emmanuel Janelle, William Mailhot, David Champoux, and Eva Benoit (Poirier).
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Board Members and dignitaries with the Paysan Quebecois statue c. 1976
A special thank you to our sponsors:
