Archives Scrapbooks

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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, May 1947-February 1950

ARCH.2003.30, Rendition: 802788

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The image is a clipping from a newspaper article titled "Priest is Decorated by France." The article was published by the Boston News Clip, which is located at 120 Tremont Street in Boston, Massachusetts. The headline states that Fr. Armand Morissette of Lowell was awarded the Legion of Honor Medal. The article is dated March 25, 1949, and is written by Grace Davidson.

The article describes Fr. Morissette as a parish priest who was highly respected by French sailors. It mentions that he was called upon to join an event for the Legion of Honor awards at the French Consulate, where he was honored for his "most efficient services" to the French cause.

The article goes on to describe Fr. Morissette's close relationship with French sailors, mentioning that he has been a "father to French sailors" and often meets with them, providing solace and care for their needs. The article also discusses Fr. Morissette's ancestors who settled in Lowell, Massachusetts, and his family's long-standing love for France.

The article ends with Fr. Morissette's thoughts on his award, expressing surprise and gratitude for being recognized by the French government. He also speaks about his hope to visit Paris and Rome someday, as well as his dedication to meeting with French sailors whenever they dock in Boston.

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This image is a scanned newspaper clipping from "Boston News Clip," dated March 25, 1949. The headline reads "PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE," and it details the story of Fr. Armand Morissette of Lowell being awarded the Legion Medal by France. The article is written by Grace Davidson.

The clipping explains that Fr. Morissette was honored for his services to French sailors who docked in Boston. He provided them with solace and care whenever their ships arrived, regardless of the weather or time. The French naval command recognized his contributions and appointed him an honorary captain, allowing him to wear four gold stripes.

The article also mentions other individuals honored alongside Fr. Morissette, including Mrs. Marie S. Binney of Boston, Rene N. Bourquin of Concord, Serge Ellisseeff, director of the Institute of the Far East at Harvard University, Charles French of Boston, Leslie L. Harrison of Portland, Me., Paul J. Sachs, director of the Fogg Museum at Harvard, Brigadier General James S. Simmons of Boston, dean of the Harvard Medical School, Ralph Thidodeau of Boston, and Bernard Zighera of Boston.

Fr. Morissette expressed his gratitude for the recognition and mentioned his family's connection to French Canada, dating back to the late 17th century. He also shared his hopes to visit Paris and Rome in the future.

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This image displays a vintage newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip, dated March 26, 1949, sourced from 150 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.

The headline reads:

PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE

The article, written by Grace Davidson, reports on Fr. Armand Morisette of Lowell, Massachusetts, being awarded the Legion Medal (officially, the Legion of Honor) by France’s Consul, Albert Chambon, on behalf of President Vincent Auriol. The award was granted for Fr. Morisette’s “most efficient services” during World War II, particularly for helping French sailors stationed in Boston.

The newspaper clipping includes a black-and-white photograph, captioned “PICTURE HERE”, which shows a group of dignitaries, including Fr. Morisette, receiving the award. In the photo, Fr. Morisette is seated, wearing a clerical collar, surrounded by formally dressed men and women.

Highlights from the article include:

  • Fr. Morisette’s Impact: He was beloved by thousands of French sailors who considered him a “great American friend” and advisor. He visited them at the docks, provided solace, and coordinated aid like food and clothing for over 100 families.
  • The Award Ceremony: The formal presentation took place at the French Consulate, attended by prominent Bostonians including Mayor James M. Curley, Mrs. Marie S. Binner, and others from Harvard and local institutions.
  • Family Heritage: The article explains that the Morisette family traces its roots to French Huguenots who settled in Lowell in the 18th century — further deepening Fr. Morisette’s personal connection to France.
  • Personal Reflections: Fr. Morisette spoke emotionally of the honor, noting that many sailors were young boys far from home. He expressed hope to visit Paris after the war and emphasized his mission to “preserve the French language and spirit” among the sailors.
  • Community Role: He was also the pastor of a parish church in Lowell and helped French sailors reconnect with their families through the church and regular communications.

The clipping is physically aged, with slightly yellowed paper and visible fold marks. It’s mounted against a plain, neutral gray background, suggesting it’s part of a scrapbook or archival collection. The tone of the article is proud, reverent, and celebratory — honoring Fr. Morisette’s compassionate service to the French Navy during and after WWII.


This clipping serves as a historical record of Franco-American wartime cooperation, civilian diplomacy, and the vital role of religious figures in community welfare during global conflict.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping with a headline that reads "PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE" and "Fr. Armand Morissette of Lowell Awarded Legion Medal." The clipping is from the Boston News Clip, dated March 2, 1949. The article discusses the decoration of Fr. Armand Morissette, a priest from Lowell, Massachusetts, with the Legion of Honor medal by France. The article highlights the priest's dedication to the French sailors during World War II and his role in providing them with food, clothing, and shelter. The clipping also mentions the priest's surprise at receiving the decoration and his hope to return to France and meet the French sailors again.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping with the title "PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE" in bold letters. The clipping is from the Boston News Clip, dated March 5, 1949, and published in Boston, Massachusetts. The clipping features a picture of a priest, Fr. Armand Morissette, who is being awarded the Legion of Honor by France. The article describes the ceremony and the priest's service during World War II. The clipping is mounted on a gray background, possibly for display or preservation purposes.

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

The image shows a scanned newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip, dated March 5, 1918, from the Boston News located at 170 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. The headline reads:

"PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE"

The article is about Fr. Armand Morissette of Lowell, who has been awarded the Legion of Honor by Grace Davidson, the picturesque figure in a group of distinguished men and women gathered last night at an unusual parish commemoration for the Legion of Honor.

Key Details from the Article:

  1. Award Ceremony:

    • The ceremony took place at an unusual parish gathering.
    • Fr. Armand Morissette was presented with the Legion of Honor, a prestigious French decoration.
  2. Fr. Armand Morissette:

    • He is described as a beloved priest who has served the community for decades.
    • Thousands of sailors have never forgotten his kindness, as he was known to look upon the sailor as a friend, protector, and adviser.
    • When sailors were sick, he would stay with them day and night, providing spiritual and physical care.
    • He was a strong advocate for sailors, especially during World War I.
  3. The Legion of Honor:

    • The article highlights that Fr. Morissette was awarded this honor for his distinguished service to France.
    • The decoration is described as a gold striped cross with a blue enamel center, and it was presented by Grace Davidson, who is identified as a representative of the French government.
  4. Background on Fr. Morissette:

    • He is the son of Rene Morissette and Rose Houle, both of Boston.
    • He has deep roots in the French-Canadian community, with ancestors who were part of the fifth generation of French-Canadian settlers in New England.
    • Fr. Morissette is noted as the father to French sailors, having served them for decades.
  5. Reaction and Significance:

    • The article emphasizes the surprise and joy of Fr. Morissette at receiving the honor.
    • It highlights the deep connection between French-Canadian communities in New England and France, particularly during the war.
    • The article also mentions that Fr. Morissette plans to visit Paris in the near future to meet with French naval officers and express his gratitude.

The article provides a vivid portrayal of Fr. Morissette’s dedication to sailors and his recognition by France for his service, underscoring the strong ties between French-Canadian communities in the U.S. and France during World War I.

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The image presents a newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip, dated March 28, 1940, featuring an article about Father Armand Morisette of Lowell, Massachusetts, who was awarded the Legion of Honor medal by France. The clipping is displayed on a gray background.

Newspaper Clipping Details:

  • Title: "PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE"
  • Subtitle: "Fr. Armand Morisette of Lowell Awarded Legion Medal"
  • Author: Grace Davidson
  • Date: March 28, 1940

Article Summary:

The article highlights Father Morisette's exceptional service to the French people during World War I, particularly his efforts in providing aid and comfort to soldiers. His dedication and bravery earned him the prestigious Legion of Honor medal, which was presented to him by the French government.

Visual Elements:

  • The clipping is placed on a gray background, which provides a neutral and clean visual context for the article.
  • The text is clear and legible, with a classic newspaper font style.

Overall Impression:

The image effectively conveys the significance of Father Morisette's achievement and the appreciation of the French government for his contributions. The simple yet elegant design of the clipping allows the reader to focus on the content and appreciate the historical context of the article.

Meta, us.meta.llama3-2-90b-instruct-v1:0

The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip, dated March 25, 1943. The headline reads "PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE" and features a subheading that states "Fr. Armand Morissette of Lowell Awarded Legion Medal."

The article discusses how Father Armand Morissette was awarded the Legion of Honor for his services to the French cause. It highlights his efforts in providing solace and care to French sailors who were in Boston during the war. The article also mentions that he was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and has been a priest for over 20 years.

Overall, the image provides information about Father Morissette's achievements and his dedication to serving others.

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The image is a scanned newspaper clipping from March 5, 1949, featuring an article about Father Armand Morissette, a priest from Lowell, Massachusetts, who was awarded the Legion of Honor medal by the French government.

Key Elements:

  • Newspaper Clipping: The clipping is from the "Boston News Clip" and is dated March 5, 1949.
  • Article Title: The title of the article is "PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE" in large font.
  • Article Content: The article discusses Father Morissette's award and his work with French sailors during World War II.
  • Background: The clipping is placed on a gray background, which provides a neutral contrast to the aged newspaper paper.

Article Details:

  • Father Morissette's Background: The article provides information about Father Morissette's background, including his birth in Lowell and his service as a priest.
  • Award and Recognition: The article highlights Father Morissette's award of the Legion of Honor medal and his recognition by the French government for his humanitarian work.
  • Humanitarian Work: The article describes Father Morissette's work with French sailors during World War II, including his provision of spiritual support and care.

Overall Impression:

The image presents a historical newspaper clipping that showcases Father Morissette's selfless work and recognition by the French government. The article provides a glimpse into the life and achievements of this remarkable individual, highlighting his dedication to his community and his humanitarian efforts during a time of war.

Meta, us.meta.llama4-scout-17b-instruct-v1:0

The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, yellowed with age, featuring two articles. The top article is titled "PRIEST IS DECORATED BY FRANCE" and includes the subtitle "Fr. Armand Morissette of Lowell Awarded Legion Medal." The article is attributed to Grace Davidson.

Newspaper Clipping Details:

  • Header: Boston News Clip
    • Address: 180 Tremont Street, Boston 11, Mass.
    • Post: Boston, Mass.
    • Date: Mar 25 1949
  • Article 1:
    • Title: Priest is Decorated by France
    • Subtitle: Fr. Armand Morissette of Lowell Awarded Legion Medal
    • Author: Grace Davidson
  • Article 2:
    • The second article is partially visible, but its title and content are not fully legible.

Visual Description:

  • The newspaper clipping is set against a plain gray background.
  • The clipping appears to be from a Boston newspaper, as indicated by the header.
  • The articles are written in a classic font style, typical of newspapers from the mid-20th century.

Overall Impression:

  • The image conveys a sense of historical significance, highlighting the achievements of Fr. Armand Morissette.
  • The yellowed color of the clipping suggests that it has been preserved for many years, adding to its nostalgic value.