B3. The French Institute- Franco-American Identity and History through Special Collections

This course will look at Franco-American history in New England, as documented through the collections of the French Institute. Students will learn about various aspects of Franco-American life such as entertainment, education, religion, politics, and work. In addition, topics related to archival work and historical research will be addressed. Each week will focus on a specific area of the French Institute’s collections, during which students will get to handle archival items, learn about their context and creation, as well as their usefulness as part of the historic record.

NOTE: This course emphasizes the in-person experience given the featured collections and archival items. It is limited to 20 participants in La Maison, but the Zoom option is available.

Recommended Reading: A Distinct Alien Race: The Untold Story of Franco-Americans: Industrialization, Immigration, Religious Strife by David Vermette; The Franco-Americans of New England: dreams and realities by Yves Roby; Steeples and Smokestacks: A collection of essays on the Franco-American experience in New England, compiled by Claire Quintal; Les Franco-américains, 1860-1980 by François Weil 

Kate Bradley is the Librarian/Archivist for the French Institute at Assumption University where she manages Franco-American archival and library collections. She worked previously at The Trustees of Reservations (Massachusetts), the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum (Palm Beach, FL), and the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation (Plymouth, VT). She is on the board of Digital Commonwealth, serves on the advisory council of the Digital Public Library of America, and is a member of the Franco-American Collections Consortium.