CHICOPEE — French heritage will be remembered and celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m., with the dedication of a new monument. The rain date will be Sunday, Nov. 3.
The ceremony will take place at the Aldenville Commons, 688 Grattan St.
Those who attend are advised to bring their own chairs. Marie Proulx Meder, former director of the French Heritage Center, and former Assistant Director Jeanne Proulx Hebert, will officiate the ceremony.
The project, which began in August of 2023, was made possible by the former French Heritage Center. Funds were raised through various French lectures, events, donations, and membership.
The custom-made monument was carved in India and inscribed in Vermont.
The monument will stand in recognition of the contributions made by French Canadians and the generations of Franco-Americans that followed.
“In their adopted country, French Canadians became a major force in all walks of life. The vast array of their contributions affected every aspect of their new homeland,” Meder said.
Meder talked more about the new monument to commemorate Franco-Americans.
She said, “We believe there are many Franco-Americans in Western Massachusetts who would be very interested in attending this monument dedication, since large numbers of French Canadians immigrated to these cities, especially Chicopee and Holyoke. If you have a French name, chances are your relatives were among the one million French Canadians who immigrated to New England between 1840 and 1930, seeking employment in the mills.”
Meder explained that there are deep roots among those in Chicopee, the surrounding communities and New England with musical French names.
“Our ancestors stepped into the unknown future when they came to New France, the journey continued from Canada to the United States. Franco-Americans inherited a rich culture, history and heritage that must never be forgotten,” Meder said.
Chicopee’s four French parishes will also be memorialized. Assumption of the BVM Church, Nativity Church and St. George Church were closed in 2009. Ste. Rose de Lima Church remains active.
These parishes played an important role in keeping French language and culture alive, according to Meder.
The event will feature guest speaker Denis Ledoux, author of “French Boy.” Ledoux was raised on a farm. He has taught Franco studies at the university level, and lectures on Franco culture and history. He has won the Maine fiction award, and was also named Life-writing Professional of the Year.
Ledoux is also the director of The Memoir Network, and serves as a Maine Touring Artist, leading programs on personal history preservation, and Franco-American culture.
The dedication will conclude with a monument blessing by Father Bill Tourigny.
“Come join us for this special occasion as we gather to celebrate, acknowledge and embrace the rich heritage of our forefathers, thereby preserving the past for future generations. The French ‘Joie de Vivre’ spirit lives on in all of us who are proud to say ‘I am French Canadian,’” Meder concluded.
