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  • Visit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Schedule A Tour
    • Shop
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  • Learn
    • Learning with MaineMILL
    • For Teachers
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    • School Programs
  • Collection + Exhibits
    • Permanent Collection
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    • October 25th Memorial and Archive
    • Virtual Exhibits
    • Object of the Month
    • Oral Histories
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    • Movement at the Museum
    • Woven Conversations
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Roland Gosselin

Roland Gosselin, the oldest of nine children, worked as a weaver in the Bates Mill for 48 years and as a business agent for the union office. He shares stories about his family, his time in the mill and union, as well as his involvement in his community, the Richelieu...

Bernard Charest

Bernard Charest was a hand sewer at the shoe mills. He discusses how he learned how to sew quickly and efficiently from various skilled sewers. He also discusses the people and politics of the shoe industry and how it has changed. He also talks about how he traveled...

Dana Pride

Dana Pride was a shoe worker who specialized in hand sewing. He discusses growing up in Lewiston during the 1970s and 1980s and the past of his family who also worked in the shoe mills. He also talks about the camaraderie sewers had and recounts what a hand...

Gerry and Jackie LaFrance

Jackie and Gerry LaFrance worked in the Bates mill, Jackie analyzing sugar and Gerry working with weaving, dye, and eventually a lab colorist and defect inspector. Gerry discusses the turnover of owners at the mills, and he and Jackie both talk about community events...

Gerard Bergeron

Gerard worked as a Loom Fixer Supervisor for the Bates Manufacturing Company. He discusses how he got his diploma from the International Correspondence School and went from a fill-in to supervisor, his experience in service, his family history, and the particular...
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Recent Posts

  • February 2025: Lisbon Street in Winter
  • January 2025: Bates Mill Pattern
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  • November 2024: 1987 Flood
  • October 2024: 261 Flower Sleeves

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