Community organization]]> Immigrants--Cultural Assimilation--United States]]> Azorean Americans]]>
Biographical Note:
One of four siblings, Barbara Dunsford was born in Lowell and grew up in the city’s Highlands neighborhood. Her father was a public school teacher at the city’s vocational school and her mother was a homemaker until she entered the workforce in the 1960s. Barbara’s mother, Sophie Anne (Goncarz) Dunsford (1918-2006), was born in Lowell and her parents were Polish immigrants. Her father, Harold Bevan Dunsford, Jr. (1918-1973), was also born in Lowell, but of English (Yorkshire) descent. Barbara and her siblings attended St. Casimir’s Polish National Church in the Centreville neighborhood. All four siblings were educated in Lowell’s public schools and received college degrees. Barbara studied psychology, graduating from Lowell State College in 1973. She worked for a short time at a garden center before obtaining a staff position in Lowell’s public schools. Around 1981, she was hired as director of the Portuguese American Resource Center, a program of the Lowell Union of Portuguese Americans (LUPA).
Founded in 1977 and located in Lowell’s Back Central section, which was the city’s major Portuguese neighborhood, LUPA provided social services to the area’s Portuguese residents. A large number of Portuguese immigrants, primarily from the Azores, settled in Lowell beginning in the 1960s and into the early 1980s. The Resource Center offered a number of services and programs to aid this growing immigrant population. As director, Barbara coordinated some of these activities with the International Institute of Lowell, a long-time immigrant aid organization. She also wrote a number of grants, including one that led to an extensive photographic documentation project, carried out by local professional photographer Kevin Harkins, of the Back Central neighborhood and its residents, as well as in the various factories where many Portuguese were employed. After federal funds supporting the Resource Center were expended, Barbara worked as a director of fundraising for the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She remains active today as a consultant to a number of non-profit organizations in Lowell.]]>
Fitzsimons, Gray]]> English]]> Lowell (Mass.)]]>
Catholic Church--Dioceses]]> Priests]]> English]]> Portuguese]]> Lowell (Mass.)]]> Azorean Americans]]> Immigrants]]> Ethnic food]]> Cultural assimilation]]> Christmas]]> Christmas cooking]]>
Biographical Note:
Gabriela was born on the Azorean island of Pico. She moved to the United States with her family when she was 6 years old. She was involved in the Lowell Union of Portuguese Americans.

Scope and Contents:
Interview conducted by Barbara Fertig. Ms. Oliveira discusses her immigration to the US, the Lowell Union of Portuguese Americans, feasts at St. Anthony's, Portuguese Christmas traditions and cooking.]]>
Fertig, Barbara]]> this link.]]> English]]> Lowell (Mass.)]]> Pico Island (Azores)]]>
Azorean Americans]]> Bakeries]]> Children of immigrants]]> Community organization]]> Easter service]]> Ethnic neighborhoods]]> Immigrant families]]> Loreto, Our Lady Of]]> Wine and wine making]]> Click here to view the items in this collection.]]> Please note that this collection was not digitized by the Portuguese American Digital Archive. By clicking the link above, you will be brought to the Library of Congress' website. Read below or on the project's website for more information on the digitization of these records.



The Lowell Folklife Project was conducted in 1987-1988 as a cooperative project of the American Folklife Center and the Lowell Historic Preservation Commission, with support from the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities, to document contemporary ethnic neighborhoods, occupations, and community life related to the history of industrialization in Lowell, Massachusetts.

This year-long study yielded an ethnographic collection consisting of 196 hours of sound recordings covering a wide range of subjects and activities, including oral history interviews, religious services and festivals (Catholic and Greek Orthodox holy week and Easter services and religious processions; a Cambodian Buddhist wedding ceremony; Cambodian and Laotian New Year's celebrations; Puerto Rican festivals), musical events, parades, ethnic restaurants,
and neighborhood tours. An additional 23 hours of sound recordings of musical events and oral history interviews were copied from originals lent by Lowell residents. Collection materials also include correspondence; field notes; questionnaires; neighborhood maps; reports; publications;
administrative files; interview transcripts; black-and-white photographic prints, contact sheets, and film negatives (ca. 10,000 images); and color slides and prints, (ca. 3500 images).
Documentation was created by fieldworkers working for the American Folklife Center: Peter Bartis, Michael E. Bell, Douglas DeNatale, Barbara Fertig, Carl Fleischhauer, John Lueders-Booth, Mario Montaño, Martha K. Norkunas, Tom Rankin, David Alan Taylor, Eleanor F. Wachs,and members of the Refugee Arts Group.



Items related to the Portuguese American community in Lowell are as follows:

Oral Histories:
• Interview with Manuel Barros, Jr.
• Interview with Manuel Barros, Sr., Part 1
• Interview with Manuel Barros, Sr., Part 2
• Interview with Francisco (Frank) Corvalno
• Interview with Maria Cunha
• Interview with Henry DeSousa
• Interview with Henry DeSousa, Part 1
• Interview with Henry DeSousa, Part 2
• Interview with Henry DeSousa, Part 3
• Interview with Henry DeSousa, Part 4
• Interview with Bob Estacio
• Interview with Manuel and Umbelina Figueira
• Interview with Anthony Garcia
• Interview with Adrien Luz, Part 1
• Interview with Adrien Luz, Part 2
• Interview with Adrien Luz, Part 3
• Interview with Gabriela Oliveira
• Interview with Fr. Eusebio Silva, Part 1
• Interview with Fr. Eusebio Silva, Part 2
• Interview with Fr. Eusebio Silva, Part 3
• Interview with Maria Silva
• Interview with Jose Simao

Audio Recordings:
• Carnaval, Holy Ghost Park, Part 1
• Carnaval, Holy Ghost Park, Part 2
• Carnaval, Holy Ghost Park, Part 3
• Carnaval, Holy Ghost Park, Part 4
• Carnaval, St. Anthony’s Church, Part 1
• Carnaval, St. Anthony’s Church, Part 2
• Carnaval, St. Anthony’s Church, Part 3
• Fado Music at IV Seasons, Part 1
• Fado Music at IV Seasons, Part 2
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Part 1
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Part 2
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Band Concert, Part 1
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Band Concert, Part 2
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Band Concert, Part 3
• Loreto Fest Committee
• Mass, St. Anthony’s Church, Part 1
• Mass, St. Anthony’s Church, Part 2
• “The Portuguese in Lowell,” Bicentennial Presentation
• Weekend Festival, Holy Ghost Society Park, Part 1
• Weekend Festival, Holy Ghost Society Park, Part 2
• Weekend Festival, Holy Ghost Society Park, Part 3
• Weekend Festival, Holy Ghost Society Park, Part 4
• Weekend Festival, Holy Ghost Society Park, Part 5
• Weekend Festival, Holy Ghost Society Park, Part 6
• Weekend Festival, Holy Ghost Society Park, Part 7

Photographs:
Church (St. Anthony’s)
• Prayer card for Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts; Meeting of former St. Peter's Church parishioners, Lowell, Massachusetts (24 photos)
• Easter Mass, St. Anthony Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Easter Mass, St. Margaret Church, 374 Stephens Street, Lowell, Massachusetts; Easter Mass, St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 photos)
• Copy of photos of prayer card for our Lady of Loreto, St. Anthony Church Rectory, Lowell, Massachusetts (2 photos)
• 1-33, not part of the Lowell Folklife Project collection; Christmas manger, St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (38 photos)
• St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (23 photos)
• Father Silva's office, St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (19 photos)
• St. Anthony's Parish, Lowell, Massachusetts; Home of Arlindo Espinola and Dionisia Espinola, Lowell, Massachusetts (19 photos)
• St. Anthony's Parish during Easter Sunday Mass, Lowell, Massachusetts; Home of Arlindo Espinola and Dionisia Espinola, Lowell, Massachusetts (18 photos)
• Interior of St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (11 photos)
• Interior of St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)

Community
• Medeiro's Portuguese American variety store, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 photos)
• On the grounds and in the wine cellar of the residence of Manuel Figueira, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• On the grounds and in the wine cellar of the residence of Manuel Figueira, Lowell, Massachusetts (34 photos)
• St. Anthony's parish, Lowell, Massachusetts; Martin's Fish and Produce, Lowell, Massachusetts; The Lowell Union of Portuguese Americans, 944 Central St., Lowell, Massachusetts (38 photos)
• Lowell Union of Portuguese Americans, Lowell, Massachusetts (17 photos)
• Manuel Figueira and Doug DeNatale, at home of Figueira, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Manual Figueira at his home, showing his winepress, grape arbor, and garden, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Manual Figueira at his home, showing his winepress, grape arbor, and garden, Lowell, Massachusetts (10 images)
• Street scenes of Central St., Lowell, Massachusetts; Father Silva at St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (14 photos)
• Central St. fish peddler, Lowell, Massachusetts; Martin's Fish and Produce, Lowell, Massachusetts; Office of the Lowell Union of Portuguese Americans, Lowell, Massachusetts (17 photos)
• Christmas manger, Lowell, Massachusetts; Manuel Barros' home, Tewksbury, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Religious yard shrine in the yard of Joe Mello, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Religious yard shrine in the yard of Joe Mello, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Religious yard shrine in the yard of Joe Mello, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Joe Mello's yard, North Common Housing Project, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Joe Mello's yard, North Common Housing Project, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Joe Mellos' yard, Lowell, Massachusetts; Grape arbors in Back Central, Lowell, Massachusetts (2 photos)
• Joe Mellos' yard, Lowell, Massachusetts; Grape arbors in Back Central, Lowell, Massachusetts (2 photos)
• Joe Mellos' yard, Lowell, Massachusetts; Grape arbors in Back Central, Lowell, Massachusetts (2 photos)
• Joe Mellos' yard, Lowell, Massachusetts; Grape arbors in Back Central, Lowell, Massachusetts (8 photos)
• Gardens of Back Central, Lowell, Massachusetts (8 photos)
• Religious yard art, Joe Mello's yard, Lowell, Massachusetts (8 photos)

Work Life
• Tony Medeiros holding up fish in back of his fish truck at Central and Elm Streets, Lowell, Massachusetts (3 photos)
• Maria Cunha at work, Lowell, Massachusetts; Manuel Barros, Barry's Pastry Shop, Lowell, Massachusetts; Maria Silva's knitting and crocheting projects, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Francisco "Frank" Corvalno, First Bank, Central St. Branch, Lowell, Massachusetts (7 photos)
• Tony Medeiros in back of retail fish truck in neighborhood of St. Anthony's Parish, Lowell, Massachusetts; Street scenes of various unidentified individuals, Lowell, Massachusetts (13 photos)
• Barry's Pastry Shop, Central St., Lowell, Massachusetts (32 photos)
• Barry's Pastry Shop, Central St., Lowell, Massachusetts; Martin's Fish and Produce Market, Lowell, Massachusetts (17 photos)
• Barry's Pastry Shop, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Fish salesman, Central St., Portuguese yards, Back Central, grape arbors, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)

Carnaval
• Carnaval celebration, Pioneer Club, Lowell, Massachusetts (22 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, Holy Ghost Society, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, Holy Ghost Society, Lowell, Massachusetts (33 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts (38 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, Holy Ghost Society, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, Pioneer Club, Lowell, Massachusetts (11 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, Holy Ghost Society, Lowell, Massachusetts (6 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, Holy Ghost Society, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Carnaval celebration, Pioneer Club, Lowell, Massachusetts (5 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts; Carnaval celebration, Pioneer Club, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts; Carnaval celebration, Pioneer Club, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Carnaval celebration, Holy Ghost Society, Lowell, Massachusetts; Carnaval Celebration; St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Carnaval celebration, Holy Ghost Society, Lowell, Massachusetts; Carnaval Celebration; St. Anthony Parish Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)

Fado at IV Seasons
• Olivete Maria singing at the IV Seasons Restaurant, Lowell, Massachusetts; Manuel Barros, Jr., Barry's Pastry Shop, Lowell, Massachusetts; Manny Silva and customers at rear of fish trucks, Back Central Street, Lowell, Massachusetts (12 photos)
• IV Seasons Portuguese Restaurant during dinner and the musical performances of Duarte Tavares, Mario Bulhoes, and Olivete Poulart, Lowell, Massachusetts (19 photos)
• IV Seasons Portuguese Restaurant during dinner and the musical performances of Duarte Tavares, Mario Bulhoes, and Olivete Poulart, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 photos)
• IV Seasons Portuguese Restaurant during dinner and the musical performances of Duarte Tavares, Mario Bulhoes, and Olivete Poulart, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Fado musicians, IV Seasons Restaurant, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• Fado musicians, IV Seasons Restaurant, Lowell, Massachusetts (13 photos)

Feast of Our Lady of Loredo
• Skateboarding, Merrimack St., Lowell, Massachusetts; Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, St. Anthony's church, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 photos)
• Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Festival of Our Lady Of Loreto, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (14 photos)
• Procession for Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts; Dick Taffe, Lowell, Massachusetts (14 photos)
• Festival of Our Lady Of Loreto, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Festival of Our Lady Of Loreto, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (12 photos)
• Parade from St. Anthony's Church in celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (37 photos)
• Mass at St. Anthony's Church on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (7 photos)
• Parade from St. Anthony's Church in occasion of the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (31 photos)
• Parade from St. Anthony's Church in celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 images)
• Committee of the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (13 photos)
• Committee of the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts; Martin's Fish and Produce, Lowell, Massachusetts (32 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto procession, St. Anthony's Church, Lowell, Massachusetts (6 photos)
• Loreto Organizing Committee, St. Anthony's Parish, Lowell, Massachusetts; Fish peddler and tow truck drivers, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• St. Joseph's cemetery, Lowell, Massachusetts; Portuguese Festival of Our Lady, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 images)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (24 photos)
• Our Lady of Loreto, procession, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (15 photos)
• Portuguese Festival of Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Lowell, Massachusetts (16 photos)
• Holy Ghost Park, Portuguese Festival ol Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts; St. Anthony's Church on the morning of the procession of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (16 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto procession, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (38 photos)
• Our Lady of Loreto Procession, Lowell, Massachusetts (38 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 photos)
• Back Central festival, Lucy Larcom Park, Lowell, Massachusetts; Our Lady of Loreto preparation and procession, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (36 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (1 photo)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Lowell, Massachusetts (9 photos)
• Fish salesman on Central St., Our Lady of Loreto Festival at Holy Ghost Park, Lowell, Massachusetts (11 photos)
• The Feast of Our Lady of Loretto procession, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• The Feast of Our Lady of Loretto procession, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photos)
• The Feast of Our Lady of Loretto procession, Lowell, Massachusetts (20 photso)
• The Feast of Our Lady of Loretto, after the procession, Lowell, Massachusetts (3 photos]]>
American Folklife Center, Library of Congress]]> American Folklife Center Website

A copy of all items can be found at the Center for Lowell History in Lowell, MA.

]]>
English]]> Lowell (Mass.)]]>