Norwood Library Hosts Discussion With Author David Vermette Tuesday

The following is a press release from The Morrill Memorial Library. Any opinions expressed are those of the author.

NORWOOD, MA - The Morrill Memorial Library, in partnership with Tewksbury Public Library, will host a virtual author talk, “The Ku Klux Klan in New England in the 1920s," by David Vermette, author of "A Distinct Alien Race: The Untold Story of Franco-Americans" on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Most New Englanders think of the Ku Klux Klan as a Southern institution targeting mainly African-Americans. But in the 1920s, the Klan was nationwide and enjoyed strong support in the North and West as well as in the South.

In addition to people of color, the 1920s Klan also targeted Catholics, Jews, immigrants and organized labor. This presentation will explore the history of the so-called “Second Klan” of the 1920s, focusing especially on the Klan’s New England chapters. This presentation will look in particular at the conflict between the Klan and New England’s Franco-American (French-Canadian) population, one of the largest minorities in the region in that period.

Vermette is a writer, editor, researcher, blogger and frequent speaker on the subject of New England’s Franco-Americans. Vermette was born and raised in Massachusetts.

Registration for this program is required. Attendees can sign up to attend virtually via the Library calendar at norwoodlibrary.org/morrillcalendar or by calling the reference desk at 781-769-0200 x2.

Zoom details will come from the Tewksbury Public Library, the hosting institution. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Morrill Memorial and Tewksbury Public Libraries.