The Museum of Work & Culture, a division of the Rhode Island Historical Society, is excited to announce a two part book talk series as part of its Welcome Blanket special exhibit programming. Each talk will feature a local author sharing their own family’s migration journey and how they came to call New England home.
On September 11 at 6pm, learn the story of the Tellier family, as featured in The Way We Were. Written by Rene Tellier, the Tellier family was one of many families who left their homeland to find work in the textile mills of New England. Settling in Woonsocket, RI they found “le Canada en bas, ” the Canada below, where their French-Canadian Culture was preserved in all aspects of their lives. The author’s son, Jim Tellier, as well as his cousins and two of the book’s editors, Bruce Tellier and Janine Tellier Reale, will share their family’s experiences of growing up French-Canadian in Woonsocket, and how the two often intertwined and intersected.
Each free talk will end with a book signing, with each author’s book available for purchase. Attendance to the series is free, but registration is required. Tickets are available here.
Welcome Blanket is made possible with the support of Welcome Blanket and Jayna Zweiman, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, the Blackstone Valley Piecemakers Quilting Guild, and the Blackstone Valley Quilting Company.