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.
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 balloons rise from the banks of the Androscoggin River. We can’t wait for this year’s balloons!
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 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...
September 2023: Bates Mill Bedspread Commercial
With back-to-school season in motion, our object of the month for September is this 1940s Bates dorm bedspread commercial featuring students from colleges and universities across the United States. The film introduces the Bates Mill marketing strategy of “College...
August 2023: Arno Moccasin Company Party
It’s August, which means our Soirée en Blanc is just around the corner. This month we’re featuring an image of the Arno Moccasin Company’s New Year’s Eve party from 1961. Throughout the years, companies and businesses in Lewiston-Auburn held a variety of events...
July 2023: Commemorative Coca-Cola Bottles
It's July and this month's object is a familiar looking beverage. Before you think about cracking into these Coke bottles, you should know that they were filled and sealed nearly 30 years ago. These commemorative Coca-Cola bottles were just a few of the souvenirs...
June 2023: “Piping Rock” Bedspread Catalog
June is LGBTQ+ Pride month. As a symbol of our commitment to celebrating the told and untold stories of our region, including those of the LGBTQ+ community, we are featuring this multi-colored “Piping Rock” Bedspread Catalog for our June object of the month. This...
May 2023: Bates IDs and AFL-CIO Membership Cards
This month we are featuring a husband and wife's Bates Division Identification Card and both of their AFL-CIO Life Memberships Cards -- four of many in our collection! These union cards and Bates IDs belonged to Eugene and Lucille Bazinet, who both work at the Bates...
April 2023: Atherton Furniture Antique Plate
April's object of the month is this 7-inch white plate with a green imprint of the great falls in Lewiston from the Atherton Furniture company. The plate was manufactured by Homer Laughlin China and was from the American Beauty line. The Atherton Furniture company was...
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.