LEWISTON — James Myall, co-author of “The Franco-Americans of Lewiston-Auburn,” will speak at the University of Southern Maine’s L-A Senior College Food for Thought Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, in function room 170, 51 Westminster St.

Myall, who was coordinator of USM LAC’s Franco-American Collection for four years, will read from his book on the history of the local Franco-American population from 1850 to 2014.

Additionally, he will share some of the process of writing the book, surprises he and co-author Mary Rice-DeFosse uncovered during the writing process and the treasure trove of history that lies in the Franco-American community.

Myall will also have the opportunity to share news about an upcoming project for USM’s LAC Franco-American Collection in 2016 that will look for the involvement of the whole community.

The USM LAC’s Franco-American Collection is one of the largest repositories of Franco-American archival material in Maine. The collection’s more than 15,000 items cover Maine’s textile mills and shoe shops, in addition to local history, government, religion, language, education, industry, sports, music and the arts. Depicting Franco-American daily life and culture, it represents the past 40-plus years.

A native of Great Britain, Myall has been a historian of Maine’s Franco-Americans for several years. In 2012, he served as a consultant for Maine’s taskforce on Franco-Americans.

In addition to his work at the Franco-American Collection from 2010-14, he spent a year as director of the Freeport Historical Society and has taught college and senior college classes on local and Franco-American history at USM’s LAC campus.

He now works as a policy analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy in Augusta.

Cost is $7 for advance reservation, or $8 at the door. Cost includes lunch. Reservations must be made by noon on Wednesday, Feb. 10, by calling 207-753-6510. Late callers will be considered “at the door.”