Payday at Androscoggin Mill - circa 1910-1920. Paymaster Arthur B. Moorehouse, left, and Mr. Getchell.

Museum L-A to host discussion “The Culture of Money” 

 LEWISTON  – Museum L-A’s popular “Voices” lecture series continues at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 with “The Culture of Money” – a discussion of  money and banking for newcomers in Lewiston-Auburn. It is the first of a three-part series being held in conjunction with the Museum’s current exhibit “Rivers of Immigration: Peoples of the Androscoggin.”

The May 20 event includes a discussion of how Androscoggin Bank has worked with newcomers from other countries and cultures to Lewiston-Auburn – both historically and in the present. Anthropology students will discuss their research on immigrants’ relationship with money and about banking activities. Slated as featured speakers are: CJ Conrad, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Androscoggin Bank; Elizabeth Eames, Ph.D., Bates College, Associate Professor of Anthropology; and Bates College students.

The Spring 2010 “Voices” lecture series is being presented free of charge and underwritten by Androscoggin Bank. Museum L-A is located at 35 Canal Street in the Bates Mill Complex – at the corner of Canal and Chestnut streets. For more information, please call 207-333-3881 or email info@museumla.org .

Museum L-A announces major LADU sponsor

LEWISTON  –  Museum L-A accepted a major contribution to underwrite the historic guide for the June 27 LADU: A Duathlon of Historic Proportion. The $3,000 in support will fund research, design and production of the historic race guide, included with each race registration. The guide will highlight the unique race course and includes historic notes and photographs about the landmarks participants will race by.  LADU benefits preservation efforts under way at Museum L-A. The 3 mile run, 14 mile bike and 3 mile finishing run will provide participants of all ages to connect with the history of L-A, this Preserve America destination. Participants will run amid historic millscapes, cycle along the mighty Androscoggin River and race in the midst of over a century of history in Lewiston-Auburn. Pictured in the photo, from left, are: Dr. David N. Abisalih and Dr. Robert J .Weiss of Androscoggin Cardiology; Rachel Desgrosseilliers and Jennifer Dube-Works of Museum L-A; and Dr. Dervilla McCann of Androscoggin Cardiology. Contact Museum L-A at 333-3881 or visit www.museumla.org/ladu for more information.

Museum L-A Accepts LADU Race Sponsorship

            LEWISTON  – On Sunday, June 27, Museum L-A will launch the inaugural LADU: A Duathlon of Historic Proportion. Starting from the Camden Yarns Mill in the Simard-Payne Park, LADU benefits preservation efforts under way at Museum L-A. The 3 mile run, 14 mile bike and 3 mile finishing run will provide participants of all ages to connect with the history of L-A, this Preserve America destination, like never before. Participants will run amid historic millscapes, cycle along the mighty Androscoggin River and race in the midst of over a century of history in Lewiston-Auburn. This event will culminate with a family fun race expo and awards ceremony. Relay teams and individuals are encouraged to connect and engage with our amazing landscape through LADU.  Walmart Supercenter in Auburn and Walmart Logistics has generously provided $4,000.00 to assist in underwriting the cost of this race for preservation. Pictured in the photo, from left, are: Jennifer Dube-Works, Museum L-A Development Director; Cathlin Foster, General Manager, Walmart Distribution Center, Lewiston; Irma McGuinness, Personnel Manager/Community Involvement Coordinator, Walmart Supercenter, Auburn; and Rachel Desgrosseilliers, Museum L-A Executive Director.

Museum L-A launches “LADU” – “A Duathlon of Historic Proportion”

            LEWISTON -  On Sunday, June 27 Museum L-A will introduce the community to another exciting and unique way to celebrate its rich history and sense of place with the inaugural LADU, a “Duathlon of Historic Proportion.” On the heels of last year’s highly acclaimed “Echoes in Time” music extravaganza, this event combines athletic competition – running and cycling – with awareness and appreciation for local, historic landmarks in L-A. This challenging, scenic and safe event provides a unique opportunity to run amid Lewiston and Auburn’s century old mills, cycle along the mighty Androscoggin River and its powerful canals while affording racers the ability to experience and engage with L-A’s rich story of textiles, shoes and brick in an inspiring family event. Launching and finishing at Camden Yarns Mill, future home of Museum L-A, participant entry fees will benefit restoration and preservation efforts underway at Museum L-A located in this Preserve America City. The 3-mile-run, 14-mile-bike and 3-mile-finish culminates with a finish-line award ceremony with amazing and historic first-place prizes for every age category.

All racers receive a historic guide and maps highlighting landmarks, neighborhoods and natural resources along three inspiring race routes. In keeping with Museum L-A’s mission to connect the generations, a race for youngsters, the Textile Trot, will precede the main event followed by a family friendly race-expo and awards ceremony. An experienced committee of community leaders has created an epic course that is slated to go down in 2010 race calendars as the biggest duathlon in the state of Maine with an a unique way to experience the community’s historical significance. Leading the race efforts on behalf of Museum L-A is Jennifer Dube-Works, museum development director, along with race partner Tri-Maine, Will Thomas. Local race and activity enthusiasts, Mike Lecompte, Eric Cobb, John Grenier, Bob Brainerd, Scott Brown, Maggie Chisholm and Beryle Martin have all provided experience and knowledge to help shape this amazing race while community civic leaders Michael Auger of the Androscoggin Land Trust and Museum L-A Archivist Susan Beane and Executive Director of Museum L-A, Rachel Desgrosseilliers have guided historic course notes.

Winners of every five-year age group, both male and female, will have the opportunity of a lifetime to have their names carved in history. Norm Davis and workers from Morin Brick – making bricks for over a century in Auburn, Maine – will be on site with “green bricks,” which are bricks that have not yet been fired. Category winners will carve their name and race time in green bricks. Morin Brick will fire the bricks and one brick will be given to the athlete while the other brick will become a part of Museum L-A’s collection.

The “Textile Trot” will kick off the race for ages 10 and under at 7:45a.m. LADU will launch at 8:00 a.m. followed by a fun family expo with opportunity to explore our community history further as racers receive their awards. Relay teams are encouraged and participants ages 14 and up can register to race. The race will need 100 volunteers to help. Coordinating the volunteers are Karla Leandri Rider of Museum L-A and Irma McGuinness of Walmart. State-of-the-art chip timing will be used so that athletes can get their personal times. The race will be sponsored by major race sponsors Androscoggin Cardiology, Morin Brick, Walmart Logistics and Supercenter, Tri-Maine and New Balance. Educational clinics will be held prior to the race by Central Maine Conditioning Clinic and Rainbow Bikes. To register for this race for preservation, go to www.museumla.org/ladu/. Or, contact Museum L-A at 207-333-3881.

Volunteer Training Program Set for March 1

LEWISTON – Museum L-A is looking to the community for volunteers who are interested in helping to guide individuals and groups. Training includes a half-day session on Monday, March 1 ( snow date March 8 ) from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon which will provide essential information on the history of Museum L-A and the development of the textile, shoe, and brick industries in Lewiston-Auburn. The training session will also explore these industries’ effects on immigration, education, religion and local culture. Participants will also become acquainted with the Museum’s collections and exhibits.

For more information, contact Karla Leandri Rider at 207-333-3881 or kleandririder@museumla.org.

“Trunks, Trains, Travelers: Coming to L-A” 
Youth Program set for February School Vacation Week

 LEWISTON –  Children ages 8-11 will explore Museum L-A’s new exhibit, “Rivers of Immigration” during a fun-filled afternoon on Tuesday, February 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Snow date is set for February 18.

A series of hands-on activities will introduce youngsters to people who left their homelands to settle in Lewiston-Auburn. Participants will investigate through games and inquiry WHY people came, WHERE they came from, WHAT work they did here, HOW life was different for them. There will be a special emphasis on the life of children.  What was school like?  What jobs did they have?

The colorfully illustrated book, Coming to America: The Story of Immigration by Betsy Maestro will highlight many of the challenges faced by immigrant families as they journeyed to, and settled in, their new country.          

Young folks will play a new version of “Museum Bingo” to discover facts about the immigrants to this area, both old and new, and use a map to discover just how far families traveled. The afternoon will include a snack, games and a craft activity where children will decorate their own miniature “treasure/memory” trunk.  Each participant will also leave with a booklet to record their own family tree, indicating where relatives were born.

Registration is $5.00 per child, ages 8-12.  To register, please call the Museum at 207-333-3881 by Friday, February 12. Museum L-A is located at 35 Canal Street in the Bates Mill Complex – at the corner of Canal and Chestnut streets.

UPDATE:  Program cancelled but will be offered again at a future date.

“Trunks, Trains, Travelers: Coming to L-A”  Youth Program set for Dec. 29 at Museum L-A

LEWISTON – Children ages 8-11 will explore Museum L-A’s new exhibit, “Rivers of Immigration” during a fun-filled afternoon on Dec. 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Snow date is scheduled for the following day, Dec. 30.

A series of hands-on activities will introduce participants to people who left their homelands to settle in Lewiston. They will investigate through games and inquiry WHY people came to Lewiston, WHERE they came from, WHAT work they did here, HOW life was different for them. There will be a special emphasis on the life of children and what it meant to leave “home.”

The colorfully illustrated book, Coming to America: The Story of Immigration by Betsy Maestro, will highlight many of the challenges faced by immigrant families as they journeyed to, and settled in, their new country.          

Young folks will play a new version of “Museum Bingo” to discover facts about the immigrants to this area – past and present – and use a map to discover just how far families traveled. The afternoon will include a snack and a craft activity where children will decorate their own miniature “treasure” trunk.  Participants will receive a booklet for completing their own family stories at home.

Registration is $5.00 per child, ages 8-11.  To register, please call the Museum at 207-333-3881 by Dec. 28.  Space is limited. Museum L-A is located at 35 Canal Street in the Bates Mill Complex.

Dube-Works chairs conference session

LEWISTON   – Staff from Museum L-A attended this year’s New England Museum Association (NEMA) meeting, “PROMISES TO KEEP,” November 11-13, in Nashua, NH. Development Director, Jennifer Dube-Works was a part of the 2009 NEMA conference planning committee throughout the year and chaired an educational session: “The Basics of Effective Grant Writing.” On panel with Dube-Works were Judith Gooch, consultant with the Grantsmanship Training Center and Debbie Watrous, Executive Director of The New Hampshire Humanities Council.

The conference was dedicated to the promotion of vision and value in the museum field- a growth industry in this country. Dube-Works led a session that provided grant seekers with potential sources, tools and best practices in grantsmanship. Attendees gained an understanding of good proposal development and resources to make the best approach.

 Museum L-A launches Rivers of Immigration exhibit Oct. 24 

LEWISTON   – We are a country of immigrants.  We are a community of immigrants!  Museum L-A invites the public to the opening reception for its new exhibit Rivers of Immigration: Peoples of the Androscoggin from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. Admission for that day is free.

 In the 1800’s we saw waves of Irish and French-Canadian immigrants come to Lewiston-Auburn. Then, other new refugees followed – Lithuanians, Germans, Greeks and Italians among the many.   This exhibit not only showcases the cultural diversity of the Twin Cities, but also reminds us that history repeats itself in the immigrant experience.

“Lots of strife and struggle ensued as they all tried to find a place in their “NEW” community on the Androscoggin River” notes Museum L-A executive director Rachel Desgrosseilliers.  Many remember the help wanted signs stating:  “French need not apply!”  Those that were here first thought that those who came after were “other than us” folk that threatened a way of life.  “We broke down the barriers, we assimilated, and we blended together sharing each other’s cultures,” Desgrosseilliers continued.

Between 2005 and 2007, waves of “new people” started arriving.  Once again-they are different. 

Through a major collaborative effort, the exhibit features some of those old and new immigrants. An illustrated timeline shows immigrant groups who have settled in Lewiston-Auburn and the time period they arrived. Using research by Museum L-A’s Education Director, Annette Vance-Dorey with a Bates College student intern, Kaleigh Pare, the timeline gives us a clear view of the immigration story from the early 1800’s to the present.

Also collaborating with the Museum are Anne Kemper, Counselor/Coordinator of the Lewiston Adult Education Adult Learning Center and Catherine Besteman, Professor of Anthropology at Colby College as well as members and leaders of the local Somali Bantu community.  

Kemper’s students, who are adult English language learners, have contributed stories and photographs about their journeys from their homelands to their new life in Lewiston.  Her students include Somali, Sudanese, Chinese, Russian, Peruvian, Mexican and Togolese immigrants.

Rivers of Immigration includes selections from “The Somali Bantu Experience: From East Africa to Maine,” an exhibit curated by Besteman and presented at Colby College Museum of Art last fall. Through photographs taken by Besteman, Jorge Acero and Colby students, the exhibit explores the stories of members of the Somali Bantu ethnic minority who were forced to flee the civil war in Somalia and have resettled in Lewiston. The photographs depict their life in their homeland and their efforts to maintain their culture as they settle into their new community.

An interactive Writing Wall invites visitors to contribute their thoughts in English or their native language sharing their own stories of immigration to the area. Community members are encouraged to bring in photographs of their ancestors who came to Lewiston-Auburn.

“With this exhibit, Desgrosseilliers states, we hope that we can once again learn from each other and celebrate the diversity which led us before to a richer community heritage.”

A sharing of ethnic foods – Greek, French Canadian, Irish and Somali as well as ethnic dance and music will be part of the opening.  The community is welcome.

Museum L-A is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of work and community in Lewiston-Auburn. It is located at 35 Canal St. in the Bates Mill Complex at the corner of Canal and Chestnut streets in Lewiston. Please call 207-333-3881 or email info@museumla.org for more information.

• Voices - Spring 2010 (PDF 7,398 KB)
• Voices – Fall 2009 (PDF 576 KB)
• Voices – Spring/Summer 2009 Pages 1-3 (PDF 1,905 KB) Pages 4-5 (PDF 3,040 KB) Pages 6-8 (PDF 1,670 KB)
• Voices – Fall 2008 (PDF 278 KB)