June 2025: Rock n Roll Bedspread

This Bates bedspread was donated to us earlier this year, and is in great condition. Featuring a very complicated and elaborate design, this bedspread would have taken a lot of work to create. Starting with artists drafting the design, to being turned into punch...

May 2025: Veterans Honor Board

  Located outside our permanent gallery, the names listed are those who worked at the Bates Mill and served during World War Two, either through the draft or volunteering. On the left side are the women who served, with their names marked on the board with a...

April 2025: Creation of a Woven Bedspread

This poster, located in our permanent gallery, depicts the entire bedspread design process, starting with cotton and ending with the final product. Created by the Bates Company in-house, this document comes to life as you follow along with the machines we have on...

March 2025: Drafting Table

  Currently on display in our temporary gallery space, this drafting table was used by Bates artists to create countless art pieces for use in bedspreads, tablecloths and more. Featuring designs ranging from a roller-skate to flowers, visitors to our exhibit...

February 2025: Lisbon Street in Winter

Happy February. We hope everyone is staying warm and dry after our latest snowstorm. Here is a photo from our archives of Lisbon Street during the winter time — check out all the storefronts and the snowbanks nearly covering them up. There has been plenty of...

January 2025: Bates Mill Pattern

Our object this month is a design from our collection which will be featuring in our upcoming exhibit Pattern & Process: Industry and the Individual. The exhibit showcases dozens of designs from the Bates Mill during its operation, as well as various pieces...