It will soon be much easier to research the paths of immigrants who arrived in Lowell, thanks to a project spearheaded by History Prof. Robert Forrant and Asst. Prof. Ingrid Hess of Art & Design. With the help of a team of UML students, they have gathered and curated hundreds of photographs, videos and essays, building a unique website that is designed to make it easier for teachers, students, academics and researchers to access a historically significant part of Lowell’s DNA—the arrival of waves of immigrants calling the city their new home.

The professors’ efforts recently got a boost with a $12,500 grant from Mass Humanities, an independent programming and funding organization. The website, which will be called the Library of New England Immigration, will be officially unveiled in the coming months and will be part of the UMass Lowell Library’s online resources. Initially, it will focus on Lowell immigration, especially over the past 50 years, but it will broaden to include all of New England over time, says Forrant.

  • Greek immigrants at Kostas Vergados cafe on Market in Lowell Photo by Center for Lowell History
    Greek immigrants at Kostas Vergados cafe on Market. Center for Lowell History.
  • Portuguese mill workers in Lowell, c. 1910. Photo by Camara Family Collection – Center for Lowell History
    Portuguese mill workers, c. 1910. Camara Family Collection – Center for Lowell History.
  • Marion’s Market in Lowell’s Little Canada neighborhood Photo by Lowell National Historical Park
    Marion’s Market in Lowell’s Little Canada neighborhood. Lowell National Historical Park.
  • Syrian May Fest in Lowell in 1935 Photo by International Institute of Lowell Collection
    Syrian May Fest in Lowell, MA. International Institute of Lowell Collection.
  • The Laurencio Family, photograph in James Higgins, Lowell: A Contemporary View, Mill Town Graphics, 1983 Photo by James Higgins
    The Laurencio Family, photograph in James Higgins, Lowell: A Contemporary View, Mill Town Graphics, 1983.
  • Group photo of Suffolk Mill workers with American flags Photo by Lowell Historical Society
    Suffolk Mill workers. Lowell Historical Society.
  • Polish child at an International Institute Festival, c. 1935 Photo by International Institute of Lowell Collection
    Polish child at an International Institute Festival, c. 1935. International Institute of Lowell Collection.
  • The spire of St. Patrick’s Church and the golden dome of the Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church in Lowell’s Acre section Photo by Richard Howe
    The spire of St. Patrick’s Church and the golden dome of the Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church in Lowell’s Acre section. Photograph, Richard Howe.