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.
March 2026: Women in Bates Mill Bowling League
March is designated as Women’s History Month, a tradition established by Jimmy Carter to honor the often-unnoticed contributions of women to the building of our nation. This month provides an opportunity to focus on the leadership, courage, strength, love, and achievements of women across the country. A photograph from 1951, for example, shows the women members of the Bates Mill Bowling League. The mill’s league was notable for its almost even mix of men’s and women’s teams, an impressive feat for the early 20th century.
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.
July 2025: Mr Millard
This picture of a mallard duck was found in part of our archives. With a nest and a box labeled 'Mr. Millard', it seems like the Bates Mill may have had a duck employed! Maine is home to numerous species of aquatic birds, while being known for puffins Maine is also...
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 famous...
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...
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
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...
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.