LEWISTON — USM’s Franco-American Collection will host a Franco-American History Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 21, at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.

The event will feature exhibits from Maine historical societies, libraries, museums and genealogical groups with a Franco-American connection. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit exhibitors’ booths, to explore the diversity of the Franco-American experience in Maine and ask questions of the experts. The Collection and other participants will also have items for sale.

Museum professionals will be on hand, and visitors are invited to bring their family treasures along to be identified or valued, and learn the best way to preserve them for the future.

The event will also be an opportunity to explore the Collection, which will be open to the public for tours. Throughout the course of the morning, short presentations will be offered on historic topics.

“We wanted to put on an event to honor St. Jean-Baptiste Day,”said Collection Coordinator James Myall. “June 24 is the French-Canadian national holiday, so we wanted to celebrate Franco-American history with an event around that date. This event is a first for Maine, and a great opportunity for novices and old hands alike to discover more about Franco-American history in our state.”

Confirmed exhibitors include the Lewiston Public Library, the McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, the Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society, the Franco-American Women’s Institute, the Biddeford Mills Museum, the Castine Historical Society and the Pejepscot Historical Society, Brunswick. Several others are also expected.

The event is free to attend, and no registration is necessary. Refreshments will be provided. The fair will take place in room 170 of USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College at 51 Westminster St.

For more information, contact the Collection at 207-753-6545, email franco@usm.maine.edu or visit www.usm.maine.edu/franco.

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