Prof. Forrant and Prof. Strobel receive $100K grant to study the history of Lowell's immigrants and neighborhoods.

Prof. Robert Forrant and Prof. Christoph Strobel of the History Dept, together with Prof. Linda Silka of RESD, have won a $100,000 grant to conduct historical research on immigration into Lowell during the past 150 years.  An exciting collaboration with Middlesex Community College, the Lowell National Park, and various neighborhood agencies, this endeavor includes several key elements.

These include:

1.) An extensive analysis of existing translated and transcribed oral histories at the Center for Lowell History, the Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell Historical Society, and other local depositories, 2.) The translation and transcription of a portion of oral histories completed within the last ten years, 3) A contemporary photography essay of several streets in the targeted neighborhoods, 4.) GIS overlay maps of 4 streets in each targeted neighborhood showing population changes over time from the late nineteenth century through the twentieth century, 5.) A ‘neighborhoods write their history activity’, 6.) A series of events in the neighborhoods designed to identify key informants and learn more about daily life, and 7.) A research and writing activity at Lowell High School.

Drawing on a depth of local knowledge and ongoing partnerships with a variety of community agencies and organizations, the project is designed to contribute to the National Park’s civic engagement goal of linking the Park into Lowell’s neighborhoods and connecting the city’s newer immigrant communities to the Park.

For further information contact Professor Robert Forrant, 978-934-2904.