Students involved in a variety of projects
Lewiston businessman Tom Anthoine and his student interviewers
Bates College students were involved in several projects at Museum L-A as part of the Service Learning programs during the Fall 2011 semester. A group of Bates students recorded oral histories of 10 Lewiston residents who attended parochial schools. This oral history project allowed students to learn about Lewiston’s Catholic Schools from first and second generation French Canadian and Irish immigrants. The project culminated with a reception at Museum L-A for both the Bates students and interviewees. MORE PHOTOS
Students working on historical signage share their progress with Executive Director Rachel Desgrosseilliers and Educator Diane Williams.
A group of students worked on the interpretive signage along the river. This included doing research pertaining to the historical context of walking tours of the Androscoggin River, canals and mills. They created a map for a walking tour of the canal and riverfront area in Lewiston using GIS. Various sites along the proposed walking tour were chosen for the display of signs.
Bridgit Anderson researches the Androscoggin River at Bates College's Muskie Archives.
Senior year student Brigit Anderson worked on translating the signage in the textile exhibit to French. She also provided the museum with research on the history of the “Great Falls” of the Androscoggin. These service learning projects were coordinated by Educator Diane Williams.
In December senior Samantha Alper chose the Museum’s artifacts stored in Bates Mill #5 as the subject of her final project in a Digital Photography course. She had first seen the artifacts while touring the mill for another course, “Story of Things,” and learned about the difficult decisions facing the Museum as it plans for its future. She wanted to capture the scope and extent of the textile, shoe and other historical artifacts stored in that vast space.
Senior Samantha Alper photographs artifacts stored in Bates Mill #5.