Donate

Ernest Lamontagne

In 1918, when Ernest Lamontagne was two years old, his family moved from French Canada to Lewiston to work. Lamontagne talks about growing up in Lewiston, describes his family life, and his experience working at Bates Mill. 

Roger Farnum

Roger Farnum came of age in Lewiston and Turner during the 1940s. After marrying, he began working in the shoe industry in Lewiston. He discusses his role buying materials from suppliers to sell to shoe companies, unions strikes, and explains how he was impacted when,...

Gerard Roussaeu

Jerry Roussaeu was born in Auburn in 1930 to a French Canadian family. After receiving his Social Security card when he was thirteen, he began working in the brickyard to contribute to his family. He discusses what daily life was like growing up in the 1930s and 40s...

Kyle Rancourt

Kyle Rancourt was born in 1984 to a family who had owned shoe businesses for generations in Lewiston. Kyle discusses his memories of his parents’ business from when he was a child, to now, as he’s followed in his their footsteps to work in the shoe industry. He...

Herbert Koss

Herb Koss was born in Lewiston in 1935 following his parents’ arrival to the area. They were originally from Russia, arriving in Massachusetts first before moving up to Maine. His father and his uncle pulled together money to open their own shoe shop up here in...