French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan
P.O. Box 1900, Royal Oak, 48068-1900
 
 
French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan meetings are free and open to the public.   
 
NOTE: Digital presentations through Zoom will occur on our normal meeting days and times (the second Saturday of the month, at 11:00 a.m. EST).  To attend the Zoom Presentations, check your email for registration links sent from the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan.  If you currently do not have an email associated with your account, but you would like to participate in the Zoom meetings, please make sure you include an email address either on your renewal membership form or on your online membership form, if you renew on our website.   To update your account with an email address immediately, you can also send a message to:
 
 
Shown below are the Zoom presenters and their topic of discussion for the month.  You can go to our FCHSM Facebook Page  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/109717099063919/) for changes and further updates.
 
In addition to our Zoom meetings, the following list also includes a list of field trips, and other meetings of interest to our members.
 
 
FCHSM Members - check your e-mails for a link to register for a Zoom Meeting 
or check our FB Page for a link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109717099063919
 
Saturday, January 13, 2024 – 11:00 AM EST - Speaker Mark Walczynski, “Marquette’s 1673 Map: Places, Features and Issues”. The program will include information about villages that Marquette and Joliet visited, geographical features and a discussion of certain problems that exist between the famous map and Marquette’s written report. (Zoom Meeting) 
Saturday, February 10, 2024 – 11:00 AM EST – Speaker Judy Muhn, “DNA: How, Where and Why Should I Test?” (Zoom Meeting)
Saturday, March 9, 2024 - 11:00 AM EST – Annual get Acquainted meeting. Please bring details of your earliest French-Canadian ancestor who lived in Michigan to share – Plan for in-person meeting at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library Main Branch (Romeo Plank Rd).
Saturday, April 13, 2024 – 11:00 AM EST – Speaker Guillaume Teasdale, “Connections, Disconnections: The St.Lawrence Valley and the Detroit River Region in the Pre-Industrial Era.” (Hybrid In Person/Zoom Meeting) at the Mt. Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Avenue, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043.
Saturday, May 11, 2024 - 11:00 AM - Speaker Erika Hartley, Update on Fort St. Joseph Excavation.  
Friday, May 17, 2024 - 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The ringing of the historic carillon bells and a tour of the Basilia of Ste. Anne de Detroit.  The restoration of the bells was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Chicago Chapter of the French Heritage Society.  Ste Anne’s is located at 1000 Sainte Anne Street, Detroit, MI 48216.  The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Friday, May 17, 2024 - Sunday, May 19, 2004 - Fourth Annual French Heritage Corridor Conference in Detroit and Monroe, Michigan.  Click on the link to access details about the conference.
Saturday June 8, 2024 – 12:00 p.m. FCHSM day trip to the Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center, 5153 Marsh Road, Okemos, Michigan 48864.
Sunday, July 21, 2024–12:00 PM EST–The French Novena at the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Détroit (1000 Sainte Anne Street, Detroit, MI 48216), followed by a buffet in the upper hall. Sign up to bring a dish to pass at the buffet at

Basilica of Ste. Anne de Détroit

Saturday August 3 to Sunday August 4, 2024 - FCHSM Field Trip to the Fort St. Joseph Open House in Niles, Michigan.  Please email either President@habitantheritage.org or information@habitantheritage.org   if you would like to attend.  
Day 1: Saturday, August 3rd
Morning:
  • 9:30 AM: Arrive at Fort Saint Joseph. Allow time for parking and gathering at the meeting point.
  • 10:00 AM: Attend the Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting to kick off the field trip. This is a great moment to capture some photos and videos of the ceremony!
Late Morning:
  • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Join the first guided walking tour of the excavation sites. This tour will focus on the newly discovered artifacts and the historical significance of Fort Saint Joseph in the context of New France.
Lunch:
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Enjoy a BBQ lunch onsite. Remember, it's cash only, so attendees should be prepared with enough cash to cover their meals.
Afternoon:
  • 1:00 PM: Participate in the Michael Nassaney Tour. This tour will last over an hour and will provide deeper insights into the ongoing archaeological research and findings at the site.
  • 2:30 PM: Explore the Living History Village, which offers a hands-on experience of historical life and crafts.
Late Afternoon:
  • 3:30 PM: Take a free long birch-bark canoe ride on the St. Joseph River, a unique opportunity to experience the area's natural beauty and historical travel methods.
Evening:
  • 4:00 PM: Conclude the first day. Participants can choose to explore Niles or return to their accommodations.
Day 2: Sunday, August 4 (Suggested Activities)
 
Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame – 10:00 am
Tour the grotto
 
Lunch: The following location was suggested by FCHSM member Mary Ellen Drolet: Tippecanoe Place is very near the history center at 620 W. Washington, Street in South Bend, https://www.tippe.com Brunch hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
 
The Historical Museum and the Studebaker Museum are open on Sunday from 12-5. A combination ticket can be purchased for both locations. If over 60, the cost is $13. Under 60, the cost is $16.  The Studebaker Museum has the carriage that Lafayette rode in on his farewell tour in 1824-1825.  The Bicentennial of his farewell voyage will start this year.
The Studebaker Museum (where the Lafayette carriage is on display) is near the History Museum/ Oliver Mansion:  https://www.studebakermuseum.org/visit/hours-and-map/
The hours on Monday – Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
The History Museum is a different site not far from downtown South Bend on E. Washington St.  The Pierre Navarre cabin was recently moved there:  https://www.historymuseumsb.org/
The hours on Monday – Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
When the new Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at Notre Dame opened this spring, they featured a Pokagon exhibit.  The exhibit will be open again at the beginning of August.  
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10 am-5 pm; Sunday noon to 5 pm:
 
In case the weather is not good on Saturday, August 3, the two days can be switched.  The only thing not available on Saturday would be the Mass at the Basilica
 
Suggested Accommodations:
 
ee the Open House Flyer at the following link:
FCHSM is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Your financial support of the FCHSM is welcomed; donations beyond membership dues are tax deductible.