Lorraine Brown has been making shoes for a long time. She was born and raised in Lewiston/Auburn, getting started in shoe-making at the age of 15 when she wanted to raise money for roller skates at the Beacon. She worked at the Bleachery and Libby Mill for a time, but...
Emile Frechette has worked as a weaver for a very long time. Born in 1915, he grew up in Lewiston and was working in the Libby Mill during the start of World War Two until he was drafted during 1944-45. Afterwards, he began to work at the Bates Mill which he did for...
Dick Courtmanche was born in Lewiston as one of 10 siblings to his parents who arrived from Canada. The family had a small farm on College Road in Lewiston with his dad working as a hand sewer in the shoe industry, with his children expected to follow in his steps. He...
Armand Turcotte started work in the brickyards at the age of 22 following a few entries into the shoe industry. He went into the Morin Bricks and stayed there for the rest of his career, where he explains a lot of the process throughout the interview. He also shares...
Vital Gagnon grew up here in Lewiston, moving all over Lincoln Street till ending up at a farm in Auburn, with both parents working in the mills located nearby. Both of them at one point even worked at the Bates Mill together, though his mom later worked as a...
