In my recent article, “Foreign Flavor,” I got to explore some of the major immigrant groups of PVD, and where they hailed from. This gave me a vehicle where I could explore my own heritage a bit and give proper homage to my DominicanAmerican mother. For this French American heritage month, I want to shift the focus to my father, and an overlooked population that swarmed this state in the early 20th century. French colonization into Canada, unfortunately, mirrored much of British and Spanish encroachments into foreign territories during the 1400s and 1500s. European expansionism eventually bled into every corner of the globe. In Canada, it was largely the Indigenous villages that were forced to adapt to this intrusion, as the already embedded population. And much like in other parts of the world, local tribes would slowly disappear in order to make room for foreign settlers. The French impact is not only part of present day Canadian culture, it is inherent to their identity. This influential wave of immigrants was destined to travel great distances in search of work and a more forgiving environment, eventually landing along America’s East Coast. They hailed largely from Quebec and Montreal, settling in cities across New England.
In Rhode Island, they would relocate to towns like Woonsocket, Central Falls, Pawtucket, and of course, the capital city of Providence. But prior to all of this, as early as the 1680s, a French Huguenot presence resided in East Greenwich. The Huguenots were French Protestants, mainly Calvinists, who faced persecution for their religious beliefs and fled to obscure northeastern towns. This settlement would only last about five years, however, because land speculators and the negative attitude from townspeople would drive them out. Fast forward a hundred years to the Revolutionary War, when Providence and Newport would play host to six thousand French troops. This detachment would prove pivotal in the victory at Yorktown. Prominent French commanders Marquis de Lafayette and JeanBaptiste Rochambeau took up vital positions in Newport, and were instrumental in defeating the British. To this day, we have Rochambeau Street on PVD’s East side to remind us of this alliance. In addition, Brown University proudly maintains Rochambeau House at 84 Prospect Street as Center for its French and Francophone Studies. The structure itself is a marvel of architecture, inspired by Parisian hotels of the eighteenth century. The Alliance Francaise of Newport continues to celebrate French culture and the French way of life.
Fast forward another hundred years to the early 1860s, when waves of French Canadians migrated to RI, lured by the lucrative textile industry and the jobs that it offered. Mills were abundant in the Blackstone Valley area and by default many of these French Canadians landed in Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and Central Falls. Along the way, they established homes, businesses, and churches, further solidifying their significance. Mills and factory labor as a whole came to define much of the identity of this industrious populace. This would later bleed into the costume jewelry trade that was prevalent throughout Providence. It’s fair to say that many in this community lacked formal education and weren’t prepared for the sudden and mass withdrawal of manufacturing. Meanwhile, additional immigrant groups from other countries diversified the pool even further. Still, pockets of French Canadian communities would remain embedded throughout RI, and even flourish. This was most evident in Woonsocket, where the textile trade attracted hordes from Canada. By the 1930s, its French Canadian population peaked at approximately half of the city’s total. Even now, they play host to an annual French Heritage Festival, usually at the River Island Arts Park in September. Traditional music and food take center stage here with savory samplings like tourtiere; meat pies made with minced pork, veal or beef and potatoes. There’s also their signature dynamite sandwich, unique to RI and its Canadian transplants. It’s similar to a Sloppy Joe, packed into a torpedo roll with peppers and onions. And then there’s pate chinois, similar to shepherd’s pie.
Also in Woonsocket is the Museum of Work and Culture. This beautifully restored mill cements the city’s sisterhood with industry, and according to their website, “Presents the compelling story of immigrants who came to find a better life in the mill towns along the Blackstone River. Visitors recreate this journey, beginning in a Quebecois farmhouse before making their way to the workday world of Woonsocket at the turn of the century. Guests explore the lives of immigrants at home, work, and school through nine immersive exhibits.” In closing, I’d like to touch on the fleur de lis, a prominent fixture featured in French culture and emblazoned across the flag of Quebec. Translating to “lily flower,” it has served as a symbol of royalty and purity. Its three petals have also been known to represent the Holy Trinity. Whenever I see it, I can’t help but reflect on my father who once hung the flag of Quebec in his private office, both as an homage to his heritage and to the footprint that French Canadians have left on the history of RI. •
In loving memory of Richard A. and Celestina Laliberte