Another reason the Franco Center is historically significant for our community, state, and worldwide: Franco-American traditions are dying out. In Lewiston-Auburn, the generation of people who lived the immigration experience…
This is one reason why the Franco Center is important: Franco-Americans represent the second largest ethnic group in New England, numbering approximately two million people. They are the largest ethnic…
The Franco Center’s early board members and staff created an impressive 428-seat Performance Hall in the Upper Hall of the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a yearly Performance Series…
Our original commitment upon forming as a nonprofit was to document and showcase the contributions of Franco-Americans, who represent approximately two million people in New England, including 300,000 in Maine.…
Photo taken pre-1900 of the Continental Mill, one of many Lewiston-Auburn mills which attracted immigrant labor to the area. This mill is located across the street from Little Canada and…
Photo taken in 1897 of the building that was torn down to make way for the building of St. Mary’s Church at the corner of Cedar and Oxford streets, across…
Recently discovered files and news clippings in the Franco Center’s archives provide more information about the bells on various buildings in Lewiston and Auburn, including the former St. Mary’s Catholic…
Standing in front of the immigrant mural is Normand Saucier. A photo of him as a young boy is in the mural which is featured in our main stairwell connecting…
St. Mary’s Church, a historically significant building, has undergone repair work, improvements, and rehabilitation work under the stewardship of the Franco Center, a nonprofit organization that hosts live performances and…
The former St. Mary’s Church, now the Franco Center, is a historically significant building that is now a center for performing arts, weddings, community events, and more. The church was…