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 2026: Pepperell Fabric’s Advertising
V-J Day, when Imperial Japan surrendered and brought an end to WWII, was announced in the United States on the 14th of August 1945. Despite occurring in August, it is celebrated on September 2nd in the US.
Pepperell Fabrics was a company headquartered in Boston, founded in 1844, with a division in Lewiston, Maine. Originally dedicated to cotton fabrics, manufacturing eventually moved onto rayon and nylon fabrics. In their height, they were considered one of the largest textile producers in the country, producing 14,000 yards of fabrics and 4,000 pounds of cotton goods every year. Products included cotton pillowcases, nylon bed sheets, work clothing, blankets, and an assortment of different fabrics for the industry. During WWII, 80% of Pepperell’s manufacturing capacity shifted towards war production, and the plant in Biddeford, Maine was expanded in order to accommodate the demands.
This advertisement came from a local magazine and as we can see from the bottom, it was intended to be framed if desired.
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 2025: Snowshoe Club Uniform Jacket
This uniform jacket, features the signature gray and scarlet colors of Lewiston's Le Montagnard snowshoe club. Founded in 1922 by Louis-Philippe Gagné, Le Montagnard was the first club of its kind in Lewiston. Each snowshoe club had a unique uniform, identifiable by...
November 2025: Snowshoe Club Pins
Lewiston was a significant center for snowshoe clubs in the 1950s, boasting 17 different organizations. These clubs were popular, even drawing participation from other New England towns with large French-Canadian populations. Each club was distinct, with its own...
October 2025: Costume Fun
This photograph from our archival collection is captioned, “Bob Larrabee ‘clowning around’ in the Bates Classing Room.” The fun hat he wears conveys a sense of lightheartedness that likely helped ease the intensity of the Classing Room’s demanding work.
September 2025: Instruction Book for Weaving Machine
Andre Langlois's name is marked on the inside of this instruction book for the Bates Mill weaving machine. This detail reminds us of the contributions of thousands of individuals, like Langlois, who were key to the success of the Lewiston and Auburn mills. Weaving...
August 2025: Shoe Anvil
This cast iron cobbler’s shoe anvil, used for making and repairing footwear, represents the late 19th and early 20th centuries when shoe manufacturing was central to the economies of Lewiston and Auburn. The Maine MILL’s new location at 1 Beech Street, which will open...
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...
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.