Jackie and Gerry LaFrance worked in the Bates mill, Jackie analyzing sugar and Gerry working with weaving, dye, and eventually a lab colorist and defect inspector. Gerry discusses the turnover of owners at the mills, and he and Jackie both talk about community events...
Gerard worked as a Loom Fixer Supervisor for the Bates Manufacturing Company. He discusses how he got his diploma from the International Correspondence School and went from a fill-in to supervisor, his experience in service, his family history, and the particular...
Conrad Duchette was born in Lewiston, ME to a family with 24 siblings and moved to Turner, ME at 10 years old. He later returned to Lewiston at 18 to work in the shoe shops. He talked about the scariness of the shoe industry shutting down and how he managed to hold...
Constance was born and raised in Lewiston, ME. She shares how her family came from Canada to Maine, growing up in Lewiston in the 30s and 40s, what the community was like, and her time as a clerk in the Bates Division of the Bates Manufacturing Company.
In his interview, Charles Poliquin, describes growing up in a big family in Lewiston and the changes in the community. He shares his experience working in the Lown and Falcon shoe shop and trying to support his family after dropping out of school at 15. Poliquin...
