Collection + Exhibits

Object of the Month

 

Get a glimpse of the past with highlighted artifacts from the museum’s collection.

With more than 10,00 artifacts in our collection, there’s a lot to learn about. Come along with us as we unearth one item a month and take a deep dive into its use, significance, and any community stories connected to its history, meaning, or purpose.

From archival photographs to awards, manufacturing tools and inventions to locally made holiday ornaments from a once renown manufacturer—get a glimpse into the past, right now.

December 2024: Santa at Peck’s

In celebration of the holidays, we are showcasing this photograph of our long-time volunteer, Jeanine, at age 4 with her sister visiting Santa at Peck’s. Peck’s was known as the “The Great Department Store.” The store was founded in 1880 in the Music Hall block on Lisbon Street, moved six years later to the Sands Block, and in 1899 to Main Street at Lisbon Street. For many years, Peck’s had the only Santa at Christmas.

Did you miss a past Object of The Month?

We’ve gone through a treasure trove of items from our collection over the years. Scroll through and see what you may have missed.

December 2024: Santa at Peck’s

December 2024: Santa at Peck’s

In celebration of the holidays, we are showcasing this photograph of our long-time volunteer, Jeanine, at age 4 with her sister visiting Santa at Peck's. Peck's was known as the "The Great Department Store." The store was founded in 1880 in the Music Hall block on...

November 2024: 1987 Flood

November 2024: 1987 Flood

Our object of the month this November is a photograph from our collection of the Androscoggin River during the 1987 flood. While the river has been powering the mills for well over a hundred years, it also floods fairly often! This photo is just one of those many...

October 2024: 261 Flower Sleeves

October 2024: 261 Flower Sleeves

October marks one year since the October 25th, 2023 mass shootings in Lewiston. In commemoration, our object of the month is these 261 flower sleeves used to create the memorial exhibit. Local artists Tanja Hollander and Miia Zellner created this installation using...

September 2024: USM Certificate and Photo

September 2024: USM Certificate and Photo

As the leaves begin to change colors and the new school year begins, we introduce September’s object of the month: a certificate of attendance from the USM facility in Beverly, Massachusetts from 1981. Above the certificate is a picture of Roland Landry (listen to his...

August 2024: Great Falls Balloon Festival

August 2024: Great Falls Balloon Festival

In anticipation of this year’s Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival, our objects of the month are photographs from the first Great Falls Balloon Festival, held on August 20-22, 1993. The festival attracts tens of thousands of spectators each year, eager to see the...

July 2024: Lewiston-Auburn Lions Club Ornament

July 2024: Lewiston-Auburn Lions Club Ornament

Christmas in July? This month we highlight an ornament commemorating the 200th year anniversary of the Lewiston-Auburn Lions club. We share this in anticipation of Soiree en Blanc, happening on July 26th. Join us for the second annual night of music, food and dancing...

June 2024: Lake Grove Park Postcard

June 2024: Lake Grove Park Postcard

  Happy Summer! This June we highlight a postcard from our collection. You may recognize this sunny scene to be Lake Grove Park in Auburn, a popular spot for lounging since 1909. A woman by the name of Julia sent this postcard to Worcester, Massachusetts in care of...

May 2024: Soldier’s Uniform Jacket

May 2024: Soldier’s Uniform Jacket

In honor of Memorial Day this month, our object for May is a soldier's uniform jacket. While textile factories like Bates chiefly produced bedspreads along with a variety of other household linens, Lewiston’s industries also played a role in multiple war efforts....

April 2024: The Creation of a Woven Bedspread

April 2024: The Creation of a Woven Bedspread

  Our April object of the month is this Bates educational poster titled "The Creation of a Woven Bedspread." Most likely from the 1950s, the poster provides a step-by-step guide to the intricate process of producing a bedspread from raw cotton. It covers each...

Help preserve Maine MILL artifacts

Antique and vintage items need a lot of maintenance to prolong their lifetime. Help us to preserve and care for these historical items and representations of our community’s history by donating today.