Collection is largest in state

LEWISTON — The University of Southern Maine’s Franco-American collection is the largest repository of Franco-American archival material in Maine. The holdings cover local history, government, religion, language, education, industry, sports and the arts.
The mission of the collection is to develop and promote interest in and study of Franco-American culture and history on the part of the University community, academic community and the community at large.
The mission is accomplished by collecting, processing, preserving and making accessible documents, audio-visual materials and artifacts. The collection focuses on Lewiston-Auburn and other areas of Maine, with additional regional materials providing a link to the wider contexts of French North America.
The collection is located on USM’s Lewiston-Auburn campus, 51 Westminster Street. Hours of operation and more information is available online at www.usm.maine.edu/lac/franco/.

: The USM-LAC Franco-American board of directors for 2009-2010 are pictured. In front from left are Maureen Chicoine, Annette Dorey, Mary Rice-Defosse, Robyn Holman and Maureen Perry; back, Normand Beaupre, chairman; Donat Boisvert, collection coordinator; Barry Rodrigue, collection scholar; Gabe Couture; Jeffrey Anderson; Lizette Leveille, secretary; and Dan Philbrick; absent, Nelson Madore, vice-chairman; Roger Philippon; and Bumper White.