Free Talk on the History on the French Presence in New England at Museum of Work & Culture
WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Valley Talks, a series of free historical lectures, continues on Sunday, Feb. 23, 1:30pm, at the Museum of Work & Culture.
In her talk, Silent Presence: The French in New England, Jeanne Douillard will bring a fresh look to the story of “un petit people” of New France, including their struggle to reclaim pride in their heritage in a new nation. She will discuss how those who moved to Canada and Acadia also moved in different ideological directions. The talk will address their respective histories and end with an exploration of the issue of the “silent presence” of these people in their new homeland.
For over 25 years, Douillard has delved deeply into conflicting historiographies and irreconcilable views of La Nouvelle France and its people. She contributed to Building a Better Life – The French-Canadians in Western Massachusetts and was featured on “Maple Stars and Stripes: Your French-Canadian Genealogy” podcast. Her narrative poem, “NOT SO MUCH THE SAME PLACE,” is included in the recently published Heliotrope, an anthology of women writers of French heritage. Douilard has also authored her own book, I Remember… Je Me Souviens…, which tells the story of the French in the Americas, Douillard’s journey to France, and the Deerfield raid of 1704 in Deerfield, MA. There will be a book sale and signing after her talk.
Seating is limited to 75 and is first-come, first-served.
Other Valley Talks will include:
March 8: Paul & Denise Bourget discusses how they transform themselves into Brevet Major General George Sears Greene and Mrs. Martha Greene & their dedication to historical reenacting.
March 22: Filmmaker Christian de Rezendes offers a preview of his historical documentary series Slatersville: America’s First Mill Village highlighting the French-Canadian portion of the story.
About the Museum of Work & Culture
The interactive and educational Museum of Work & Culture shares the stories of the men, women, and children who came to find a better life in Rhode Island’s mill towns in the late 19th- and 20th centuries. It recently received a Rhode Island Monthly Best of Rhode Island Award for its SensAbilities Saturdays all-ability program.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
Founded in 1822, the RIHS, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the fourth-oldest historical society in the United States and is Rhode Island’s largest and oldest historical organization. In Providence, the RIHS owns and operates the John Brown House Museum, a designated National Historic Landmark, built in 1788; the Aldrich House, built in 1822 and used for administration and public programs; and the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, where archival, book and image collections are housed. In Woonsocket, the RIHS manages the Museum of Work and Culture, a community museum examining the industrial history of northern Rhode Island and of the workers and settlers, especially French-Canadians, who made it one of the state’s most distinctive areas.