The records of the Western Massachusetts locals and district councils of the UBCJA documents the rise of unionization among carpenters in the Connecticut River Valley since the 1880s. This collection represents a merger of separate accessions for the District Councils in Springfield (MS 110), the Pioneer Valley (MS 231), and Holyoke (MS 108), along with post-merger records for Local 108. In general, each has been maintained as a distinct series.
Oral history with the Lussier family. Mr. Lussier’s family relocated from Winchendon to Easthampton, Mass. to find a French Catholic school when he was a child, and Mrs. Lussier’s family moved from Gardner for work. She discusses her time playing piano along with instrument ensembles for silent films. Their daughter, Lucille, talks about growing up going to a French school, and the subjects she studied there. Includes information of the beginnings of Notre Dame du Bon Conseil parish in Easthampton.
Oral history with the Gagnon family, part of the Franco-American community in Springfield since 1953. Topics include their participation in Franco-American activities at St. Joseph’s Church, their interest in Franco-American studies, and what nationality means to them, as people with roots in America, Canada, and France.
Collection includes statutes and by-laws, minutes, administrative records, correspondence, financial records and receipts, scholarship records, publications, records of programs and events, and artifacts and ephemera.
Interview includes discussions of: World War II memories; Kent State massacre; conservative Ohio; Model Cities; Manchester Union Leader incident; Community Concepts; St. Mary’s hospital; Lewiston City Council; and the Bates College and Lewiston/Auburn relationship.
