Contributed by Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries
- MMN #67530
- print page
- download web image
Purchase a reproduction of this item on VintageMaineImages.com.
Description
Boys and girls in this classroom of fourth graders at St. Peter's School in Lewiston in 1937 are seated separately. By fifth grade, boys and girls attended single-sex schools.
St. Peter's was one of a number of parochial, or parish-run, schools in Lewiston and Auburn. Until the middle of the 20th century, the majority of classes in the Lewiston parish schools were held in French.
Since the State of Maine had outlawed the speaking of French in public schools, the Catholic schools were for some time a haven for French-speaking communities.
However, two major factors led the teachers to introduce a progressively anglophone curriculum: parents encouraged their students to learn English as a means of integrating with wider society and students themselves were exposed to more English through the popularity of television.
In the first row, on the extreme right is Aurelien Larochelle; 2nd from the right is Charlie Sylvain; Pauline Breault is on the far left by the blackboard in the 2nd row; behind her in the 3rd row is Miette Labonté; Roger Fournier is in the back row on the extreme right.
About This Item
- Title: St. Peter's School, Lewiston, 1937
- Creation Date: 1937
- Subject Date: 1937
- Location: Lewiston, Androscoggin County, ME
- Media: Photographic print
- Dimensions: 21.5 cm x 16 cm
- Local Code: 2012.0.8
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Catholic Church--Education
- Catholic elementary schools--Maine--Lewiston
- Schools--Maine--Lewiston
- Franco-Americans--Maine--Lewiston
- School children--Maine--Lewiston
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries51 Westminster Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 753-6545
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.
