March 2024: Rosie the Riveter lunch box

In honor of Women’s History Month, our object for March is a “Rosie the Riveter” lunch box currently on display in our 2024 exhibit, “Unseen Hands, The Hidden Elements of Labor.” Over the last several decades, J. Howard Miller’s design of a female worker dressed in a...

February 2024: Dye Tubes

It’s February, which means our 2024 gallery “Unseen Hands, The Hidden Elements of Labor” opened to the public! This month, we’re highlighting dye tubes from the Bates Dyeing Facility, offering a glimpse at just one of the dozens of objects we...

January 2024: Ward Bros. Womens Cloche Hat

Our object of the month for January is this women’s cloche felt hat from the iconic Ward Bros. store once located on Lisbon Street. Founded by cousins Larry Ward and David Mersons, Ward’s was one of many stores owned and operated by Lewiston’s Jewish population. Wards...

December 2023: Peck’s Department Store Christmas

For December, we are highlighting these images of Peck’s Department store during the holiday season. At the time of its opening in 1899, Peck’s was considered the largest and most significant department store in Maine. During each Christmas Season, visitors from all...

November 2023: October 25 Memorial Item

Following the tragic events of October 25, 2023 Maine MILL began working with the City of Lewiston, the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and artist Tanja Hollander to collect memorial items (such as candles, Lewiston Strong signage, posters, hearts,...

October 2023: Bates Fabriques Hockey Jersey

For the month of October, we’re featuring a Bates Fabriques Hockey jersey from the 1950s.  The Fabriques were just one of the many sports teams the Bates Manufacturing Company supported throughout its operation. There were several other textile manufacturers in the...