Norway Savings Bank Supports “Important Chapter” in Lewiston/Auburn Story: The Franco Center

LEWISTON—For generations, the building on 46 Cedar Street in Lewiston has played different roles for the special community in which it sits, evoking a range of emotions but also a singular sense of pride.

Nearly a century after opening as St. Mary’s Church, the building is now home to the Franco-American Heritage Center, colloquially known as the Franco Center, a revered performing arts and cultural facility that offers a showcase for today’s talent and a venue to celebrate Maine’s past and present, with 80% of Maine’s Franco-American population living within 50 miles of Lewiston/Auburn.

In recent years, Norway Savings Bank has donated over $11,000 to the center in an effort to honor and preserve Franco-American heritage in the area while welcoming artists and performers from different backgrounds through events and gatherings.

“The Franco Center actively works to create, promote, and host a calendar of diverse social opportunities for people of all ages,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “The Bank appreciates the need for a wide variety of performing arts and entertainment options to fulfill the community’s needs. It’s always a treat to look at the Center’s schedule. It’s really focused on providing the chance for local and national performers to shine and increasing the value of the cultural life of the Lewiston/Auburn area and beyond.”

“The Franco Center has grown from a small group of individuals with a vision of preserving Franco-American culture to a center that welcomes performances, business functions, weddings, and even family and individual events,” said Penny Drumm, Administrator of the Franco Center. “With the support of Norway Savings Bank and other institutions, we can continue to grow and offer this beautiful facility for more organizations and community members to enjoy. We’re grateful for the faith in and support of our mission.”

This year’s fun is already underway with the Center recently hosting multiple comedy shows, Imari and the Sahara Desert Dancers, and Fiddle-icious. Upcoming events include a tribute concert for The Who (March 9), the Windham Chamber Singers (April 3), a Beatles tribute concert (April 5), the Heather Pierson Trio (July 13), and more. For information on booking the Center, call 207-783-1585.  

The vibrant calendar and the chance to hold some of life’s most special moments in this late Gothic Revival style building make the Franco Center an irreplaceable piece of the community’s fabric.

“Our commitment is to the people, employees, and communities we serve,” said Walsh. “That includes actively looking for opportunities to support organizations dedicated to honoring our past, celebrating our present, and flourishing in the future. The Franco Center is an important and ongoing chapter in the Lewiston/Auburn story, and to play a part in helping it grow in impact and relevance is tremendously gratifying as a Bank.”

For ticket or schedule information, visit www.francocenter.org.