Maine MILL

Maine MILL Connecting history and generations - past, present and future

Mission: Museum L-A strengthens community and connections between generations by documenting and celebrating the economic, social, and technological legacy of L-A and its people. Vision: Museum L-A will chronicle the history of work, industry and community in Lewiston and Auburn; serve as a community gathering place; create engaging learning experiences; and contribute to the civic, cultural, and economic revitalization of L-A.

06/19/2026

As we get closer to Opening Weekend, Maine MILL Executive Director Rachel Ferrante is sharing some of her favorite details inside our new home at 1 Beech Street.

One of them? The wallpaper inside the permanent collection, produced by . These patterns were originally designed and produced by the Bates Manufacturing Company, connecting the space directly to the stories we tell inside it.

Another detail you might miss at first glance: the architecture of the wall was inspired by the iconic roofline of Bates Mill No. 5.

Throughout the museum, history isn’t just found in the exhibits. It’s built into the space itself.

We can’t wait to welcome you June 26–28 for Maine MILL’s Grand Opening Weekend.

06/16/2026

After years of planning, collecting stories, and believing in the vision, opening weekend is finally here.

As founding executive director Rachel Desgrosseilliers shares, the most exciting part is keeping a promise made to the community: that their stories, memories, and history would have a home.

Maine MILL is, and always has been, a museum for the community, built by the community.

We can’t wait to welcome you in.

06/15/2026

What if what we’re searching for already exists within us?

For her new installation, We Carry Within Us All the Wonders We Seek Without Us, artist draws inspiration from a quote by Sir Thomas Browne: the idea that the strength, courage, empathy, and humanity we seek in the world already live within each of us.

A site-specific piece for Maine MILL’s design lab, the work features hand castings from community members. Each hand is unique and together they form a powerful reflection of what is possible when people come together with a shared sense of purpose and belonging. At its heart, the installation is an invitation: to recognize our own power to shape the places we call home and create the change we wish to see in our communities.

Experience We Carry Within Us All the Wonders We Seek Without Us during Maine MILL’s Opening Weekend, June 26–28.

This installation is made possible by a grant from the Artist’s Resource Trust, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

06/15/2026

Every museum has a story. This one belongs to a community.

Founding Executive Director Rachel Desgrosseilliers and current Executive Director Rachel Ferrante reflect on the journey from Museum L-A to Maine MILL and the people who made it possible along the way.

The former mill worker who faithfully mailed a few dollars each month. The children who discovered that history could be exciting. The families who found their ancestors’ stories preserved within these walls.

These moments are the reason Maine MILL thrives. We’re reminded that this museum was never built just to be a collection. It was built for the people whose lives, labor, and stories shaped Maine.

History, craftsmanship, and creativity come together in every detail of Maine MILL’s new home.The striking Corten steel ...
06/13/2026

History, craftsmanship, and creativity come together in every detail of Maine MILL’s new home.

The striking Corten steel façade on the building’s east side serves as a bridge between Lewiston’s industrial past and its creative future. Illuminated from behind, the perforations recreate the pattern of the Martha Washington bedspread, one of the most iconic textile designs in the museum’s collection. It’s a thoughtful nod to the makers, mills, and materials that shaped our community while inspiring new generations of artists, innovators, and storytellers.

We can’t wait to welcome you inside during Opening Weekend, June 27–28.

Photos by Alice M. Keene.

Maine MILL is for everyone.One of the things we're most excited about as we prepare to open is welcoming every person in...
06/12/2026

Maine MILL is for everyone.

One of the things we're most excited about as we prepare to open is welcoming every person into the museum. The stories preserved here belong to workers, families, innovators, immigrants, entrepreneurs, and communities across Maine.

Maine MILL will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will continue to offer free Movement at the Museum sessions on the final Friday of every month from 5–6 p.m. And through the Museums for All program, EBT cardholders receive discounted admission every time they visit.

The stories preserved here belong to all of us, and we're committed to creating a place where everyone can connect with Maine's past, present, and future.

A few sneak peeks from inside Maine MILL’s new home.We’re excited to share some of the objects, stories, and design deta...
06/09/2026

A few sneak peeks from inside Maine MILL’s new home.

We’re excited to share some of the objects, stories, and design details that will help bring Lewiston-Auburn’s textile and industrial history to life. From historic machinery and artifacts to immersive exhibits inspired by the patterns, people, and products that shaped our community, every corner of the museum invites exploration.

We can’t wait to welcome you in and share the full experience.

As Maine MILL gets ready to open at 1 Beech Street, a membership supports the programs, exhibits, and educational experi...
06/08/2026

As Maine MILL gets ready to open at 1 Beech Street, a membership supports the programs, exhibits, and educational experiences that bring our community's stories to life.

Becoming a member is more than admission to the museum. It helps preserve local history, supports hands-on learning opportunities for all ages, and invests in a space dedicated to celebrating innovation, labor, culture, and creativity in Central Maine. Members also enjoy benefits including free admission and special perks throughout the year.

If you believe in the power of history to inspire the future, now is the perfect time to join.

Become a member today: https://mainemill.org/become-a-member/

06/04/2026

From day one, has been an incredible partner in bringing Maine MILL to life. Beyond their expertise and craftsmanship, they made a conscious effort to invest in Lewiston-Auburn by working with local subcontractors whenever possible, ensuring that the impact of this project extended far beyond the construction site.

Their commitment to collaboration, quality, and community has helped transform a vision into reality.

We’re grateful for the team at Langford & Low and the many local tradespeople, craftspeople, and businesses whose work will help welcome visitors to Maine MILL for generations to come.

Thank you for helping build something that belongs to all of us.

06/03/2026

The walls have stories to tell.

Soon, these spaces will welcome visitors from near and far to experience the history, innovation, and community that shaped Lewiston-Auburn and continues to define our region today.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation of Maine MILL’s new home and get a glimpse of what’s to come. From immersive exhibits and interactive learning spaces to galleries that celebrate the people who built this community, the next chapter is almost here.

Opening Weekend
📅 June 26–28, 2026

✨ Friday, June 26
Soirée en Blanc: The First Look
6:00–8:00 PM

✂️ Saturday, June 27
Ribbon Cutting & Opening Ceremony
10:30 AM–12:00 PM

🎉 Free Admission and Special Programming
Saturday, June 27 & Sunday, June 28

Join us as we celebrate Maine’s history, innovation, and community in our new home.

Address

1 Beech Street
Lewiston, ME
04240

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12073333881

Website

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