Franco-American Childhood


Jalbert Family Orchestra, Lewiston-Auburn, ca.1920

Jalbert Family Orchestra, Lewiston-Auburn, ca.1920
Item 67540   info
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries

Of all their cultural traditions, Franco-Americans especially cherished their musical heritage, and in an era before television or radio, music formed the main means of entertainment in most households -- especially songs that were less suitable for the ears of the local monseigneur!

Lacking copious free time or venues in which to congregate, Francos typically held house parties for their friends and neighbors, with large groups gathered in the kitchen to sing.

When instruments were hard to come by, kitchen implements, such as spoons, and even washboards or pans, were called into service.

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