Other Franco Events
The Francophonie is alive and active in New Hampshire and Beyond!
Join our friends in a variety of events celebrating the rich tapestry of the Franco culture and language
These events are not coordinated by the FAC, please contact the organizers for details
Grace Metalious Centennial &
Lecture: Before Peyton Place by Robert B. Perreault
Saturday, September 7, 2024
11:00 a.m.
Celebrate the 100th birthday of Grace Metalious, the author of the best-selling and controversial novel Peyton Place at the Millyard Museum.
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COST: included with regular admission
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Pre-registration is requested. Call or e-mail today to reserve your spot! (603) 622-7531 / history@manchesterhistoric.org
Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.
Where : Boxcar permanent location - 144 Reed Street (just off Bremer Street), Manchester, NH.
This event, which is FREE AND OPEN TO ALL, is organized by our friends at the 40 & 8 Society, a veteran’s group with a mission to promote this important piece of history. Representatives from France and NH will come together to celebrate the continuing longstanding friendship between France and the United States. This year’s event has a special meaning as it comes during the 80th anniversary year of the D-Day invasion and 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of the US.
Following the event, there will be a reception with refreshments open to all attendees, taking place at Jutras Post (American Legion) located at 56 Boutwell Street in Manchester.
The reception is also free. In order to plan for adequate refreshments, registration to attend the reception is required by 5pm, Wednesday, September 25.
For more information about the NH boxcar history, check out: http://mercitrain.org/NewHampshire/​
HISTORY
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The Merci Train was a train of 49 French railroad box cars filled with tens of thousands of gifts of gratitude from at least that many individual French citizens showing their appreciation for the more than 700 American box cars of relief goods sent to them by (primarily) individual Americans in 1948. Visit the exhibit to see New Hampshire’s Box Car!
Why does the Merci Train matter to Franco-Americans?
* More than 100,000 Franco-Americans served in the Armed Forces of the US during WWII.
*During WWII, Franco-Americans donated over $12 million for war bonds allowing them to name a number Liberty Ships in honor of famous Franco-Americans such as Ferdinand Gagnon, Aram Pothier, Bishop Albert Guertin, etc.
*Because of the propensity of Franco-Americans to have large families, FA newspapers published lists of families which had three or more children serving in WWII. The record in New England seems to have been the 10 Frédette brothers from East Braintree, MA; nationwide, the record was held by the 16 Gauthier brothers of Fort Worth, TX.
Thank you to historian and FAC friend, Ron Héroux for sharing these points from Armand Chartier’s book “The Franco-Americans of New England – A History”.