A century’s worth of immigration history in the region’s industrial cities is the subject of a talk next week by UMass Lowell Distinguished Professor Robert Forrant.
He will discuss “100 Years of Immigration History in Haverhill, Lawrence and Lowell,” Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m., at the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, 2 Merrimack St., third floor, Haverhill. The talk, part of the iHub’s Cultural Speaker Series, discusses Massachusetts’ history of immigration dating back to the first settlement of newcomers, building colonies along the New England coast.
“Today, Immigrants remain an integral part of diverse and thriving communities and make extensive contributions that benefit all,” according to a University statement. “In the 19th century and early 20th century the top countries of origin for immigrants were in southern and eastern Europe. Top countries of origin today are China, Dominican Republic, India, Brazil and Haiti.”
Forrant is a Lawrence History Center board member. Before coming to UMass Lowell, he worked as a machinist in Springfield, for nearly 15 years. An authority on labor and immigration history, with a particular focus on Massachusetts and New England, in 2012 he worked on community-based programs in Lawrence dedicated to the centennial anniversary of the Bread and Roses Strike. He is working on a book titled “Lowell: The Worlds and Histories of a New England Mill City.” Forrant is the recipient of the UMass President’s Award for Public Service, UMass Lowell’s Martin Luther King Jr. award and the Massachusetts History Commendation from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The event is free and open to the public and refreshments are provided. There’s more information and registration online at uml.edu/ihub.