Brown University

Portuguese Immigration to Danbury

Description

Abstract:
This text examines the history and evolution of the Portuguese immigrant community in Danbury, Connecticut, from 1910 through the 1990s. Drawing on thirteen oral history interviews with community members across multiple decades, the author details the social and economic adaptation of these immigrants, highlighting the transition from early labor roles in construction and hat factories to the establishment of thriving local businesses and cultural institutions. The narrative explores key aspects of community life, including the "casas de malta" (boarding houses for single men), the preservation of the Portuguese language, the role of social clubs like the Sons of Portugal, and the eventual establishment of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

Citation

Marques, Maria Lucília, "Portuguese Immigration to Danbury" (2016). Gávea-Brown: A Bilingual Journal of Portuguese-North American Letters and Studies. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.26300/c89z-3731

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