The University of Maine has decided to destroy Crossland Hall, a Tier One historic building on campus and the home of the Franco-American Centre, to make a larger capacity parking lot. This building was constructed in 1833 and serves a critical role in Franco-American cultural education, language revitalization, genealogical research, and historical preservation. Though they have been promised to be moved to two other buildings on campus in the following years, these locations on the outskirts are inaccessible to students, staff, and key members of the community alike. Additionally, the proposed permanent building is home to another key institution on campus—the Spruce Budworm Research Laboratory— which combats the most damaging species to Maine and North American forests and provides a portion of their revenue to the university. The lab has not been given another location, and relocation would not only come at great expense but also disrupt their critical research. Given these detrimental impacts, the university’s plans are clearly rushed and do not take into consideration the deep history of Crossland Hall and the vital importance of the Spruce Budworm Research Lab. 

The rash plans for Crossland Hall’s destruction not only threaten the only surviving farmhouse predating the university’s founding, the historic home of the first professor on campus, and the infirmary that nursed World War II veterans back to health in the late 1940’s. This ill-conceived plan also endangers the Franco American Centre, which has called Crossland Hall home for decades. The Centre is a beacon of light for the Franco-Americans of our nation. Through harmful legislation, their language was systematically suppressed, their culture forcefully stripped away, and their contributions to the nation forgotten. Maine has an intimate connection with these peoples, and our state has the highest representation of Franco-Americans in the nation at roughly 40% of Mainers having Franco-American heritage. The survival of the Franco-American Centre and Crossland Hall are intimately linked. By destroying Crossland Hall, the University of Maine is relegating the Franco-American Centre, a key resource nationwide, to a swift demise.

We students and community members who have been touched by the hospitality of the Franco-American Centre and who have found solace in Crossland Hall do not agree with the university's decision to demolish the historic building. Thus, we decided to share this message through the present petition. They plan to carry out their destruction over the course of winter break beginning on December 20th, so we need to act fast. We urge you to sign this petition and show the University of Maine, local legislators, and the broader state that we will not let Maine culture and heritage, including that of our Franco-American neighbors, be destroyed.