On May 1, French linguistics students at Manhattanville College in New York had their first encounter with Cheshire County’s Franco-Americans, via the wizardry of Skype.
From her office in Morrison Hall, Professor Margaret Langford delivered her interactive PowerPoint lecture, An Invisible Presence: The Franco-Americans in New England (Une Présence invisible: Les Franco-Americans de la Nouvelle Angleterre), to Professor Andoveloniaina Rasolofo’s students and guests at Manhattanville. Dr. Langford explained to her audience how more than 900,000 French-Canadians (Québécois) immigrated to the United States, primarily coming to New England and upper-state New York, from the mid 1800s to well into the 1930s, and that many of their descendants still abide there. Using the Franco-American experience in Cheshire County, New Hampshire as a model, Dr. Langford examined the question: “Why don’t we know more about the Franco-Americans today, despite their significant numbers and contributions?”
“My students and I learned a lot about a topic that is seldom discussed,” explained Professor Rosolofo.
Professor Langford found it “an exhilarating experience!”
Margaret! Je ne le croix pas! And that’s about alll the french I can write, if that’s even correct. How are you? Ever travel to Suncook? Last time there was for Dick’s funeral three years ago. What’s up with you? Not still teaching?
Jimmy