WELCOME TO OUR FRENCH-AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA WEBSITE.

OUR MISSION: To foster a greater understanding of the rich history and heritage of French-speaking people who helped form what is now Minnesota. OUR VISION: To preserve, advance, and celebrate French-American heritage and culture. Our 10-Year Anniversary Celebration took place in 2023 and we look forward to ever-increasing accomplishments in the coming years!

Our website is a treasure trove of information. Get acquainted with us by clicking on the Home tab (at the top, far left-hand side above) and then clicking on About to read an overview detailing our organization's origins, who we are, what some of our goals are, what we sponsor, examples of our past educational events, attendance at festivals, and French heritage tours. Also in the Home section, click on the other entries in the list where you may meet our board members, read our Mission and Vision statements, become a 100 Associates member, join our general membership, and make donations to help sustain our nonprofit organization.

Also, click on all of the other heading tabs above, where you will find a wide range of information including: Genealogy links in our Library; Minnesota French historical sites as well as an interactive map, French heritage entertainment, heritage websites, organizations, family websites, and French songs on our Resources page; Twin Cities restaurants and businesses with a “French” connection listed under our Food/Drink tab; books written by the Foundation noted in the Publications area; acknowledgment of organizations to whom we provide scholarships, and examples of past education classes in our Things We Do section; and, our Videos page featuring many presentations by board members and guest speakers throughout the years. 

Our Donate/Membership page provides opportunities for membership in the French-American Heritage Foundation and/or for you to become a member of 100 Associates–an extraordinary group committed to the support and growth of our endowment fund. Your participation will be greatly appreciated!

OUR SPONSORS are listed in the left-hand column on each of our website pages. Please take a minute to click on each of their logos to learn more about these generous organizations that sponsor the French-American Heritage Foundation (FAHF). We are truly grateful for their long-standing support and interest in FAHF. In return, our sponsors will warmly welcome your patronage, too.

100 ASSOCIATES ENDOWMENT FUND PROGRESS REPORT: We are building an endowment fund through our 100 Associates initiative. For additional details and to make an online contribution, please see 100 Associates. ‎In 2021, we created an endowment fund at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation with an opening amount of $25,000. Currently, we have 45 fully-paid members and have raised $50,484+ towards our $100,000 goal.  Become a 100 Associates member and help support French-American heritage, programs, and groups well into the future. As you can see, this is a very ambitious project and we extend an invitation to all individuals, groups of individuals or family members, and organizations to participate by contributing $1,000, or pledging that amount; we will then include participants among our growing 100 Associates membership.   Current 100 Associates Members

MINNESOTA FRENCH HERITAGE SITES BROCHURE AND ONLINE ACCESS TO SITE DESCRIPTIONS: The French-American Heritage Foundation was established to promote French-American heritage in Minnesota, host French-heritage events and provide educational resources to those interested in their French heritage.

Saint Anthony Falls – Minneapolis, Minnesota

For almost 200 years before Minnesota became a state, French was the primary European language spoken here. After Minnesota became a state, and during the early years of European settlement, many French Canadians migrated here, and at least 79 French-speaking towns and communities were formed in Minnesota. French-speaking ancestors in Minnesota and surrounding states were important in all sectors of society, and they helped build our state and region into what it is today. To remember this heritage, the French-American Heritage Foundation commissioned an artist to draw 24 original illustrations depicting French heritage sites in Minnesota, for our brochure. The drawings in the brochure were created by H. Jean McFarlane (neé Collette). Copies of the brochure are available at our heritage events. To learn more about the heritage sites online, click on our Resources tab and select “Minnesota Historical Map,” where you will find a Minnesota Historical Interactive Map. Click on the individual site markers for more in-depth descriptions, further reading and learning suggestions, and directions to the sites.

The total project cost was approximately $5,000, which included the artist commission and production costs. We remain thankful to all who donated to our GoGetFunding brochure campaign raising $2,950 online, An additional thanks to those who sent us contributions totaling $950 via the mail. Our special fundraiser netted $3,900. Our campaign story can still be read at: https://gogetfunding.com/french-heritage-brochure/ 

Although the online brochure campaign has concluded, we continue to welcome donations, in any amount, to support the advancement of this project, which includes future plans to translate and produce a French version of this brochure designed especially for French-speaking visitors who want to learn more about Minnesota's French heritage sites. Contributions via USPS may be sent to: FAHF, P.O. Box 13542, Saint Paul, MN 55113.  Because we are a Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.