FRANCO CENTER: Our Significance, part 5
Another reason the Franco Center is important to our community: There is a need to continue redevelopment of Lewiston-Auburn’s mills and historic structures in order to keep the local economy…
FRANCO CENTER: Our Significance, part 4
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…
FRANCO CENTER: Our Significance, part 3
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…
FRANCO CENTER: Our Significance, part 2
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…
FRANCO CENTER: Our Significance, part 1
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.…
Continental Mill pre-1900
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…
Building torn down to make way for St. Mary’s Church 1907
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…
Bells ringing throughout Lewiston and Auburn
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…
Immigration mural depicts path to Lewiston
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 before and after rehabilitation
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…