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History
In 2002, a grass
roots project emerged, initiated by a small Maine
town chamber of commerce. Maine's Paper & Heritage
Museum committee, a dedicated group
of current and retired paper mill workers, business
and community leaders have been working towards
a dream of an actual museum located along the
banks of the Androscoggin River in western Maine
.
Umbagog Mill in Livermore
Falls circa 1880
The immediate area
has seen the loss of the shoe and some paper
industry. Businesses and a local nursing home
have closed. A museum would provide jobs and
bring tourism into the community thereby increasing
development.
Maine's Paper & Heritage
Museum will be a living museum, offering
educational programs to the general public, community
and students.
There is a large population of
senior citizens in the area who are former mill
workers, or their relatives. They will be interviewed
and their information will be videoed for continuous
use through museum monitors. Senior citizens
will also conduct tours and will dress in era
attire while acting as museum docents. In this
way, the museum will employ the seniors, tapping
into their energy and passion for their past.
Funding will be used for educational
materials including video equipment and televisions,
for writers, teachers and employees and period
costumes.
Museum Display during
Main Street, USA, 1946 in Livermore Falls
A connection with local schools
will be established. High school students will
learn about the history of their area including
a major component entitled, “Your Community,
Home of the Paper Industry.” In turn these
students will mentor middle school students who
then will mentor elementary school students.
Many artifacts will be collected
and will be displayed in authenticated rooms.
A train will take visitors along the Androscoggin
River to the power plants and the mills. A gift
shop will be established with replicas of artifacts
fashioned by local artisans. A gallery will showcase
the work of local artists.
Children’s book depicting
the games and entertainment of the early days
of the paper industry focusing on families will
be written and then published by a local publisher.
This book will be used to educate the Kindergarten
and First Grade students in a light hearted way,
about the paper industry in Maine.
A play will be presented reenacting
the history of papermaking, and tapes of the
play will run on the local access TV channel.
We would like to to offer a college
level class at the University of Maine called, "The
History of the Paper Industry along the Androscoggin
River."
Our Mission:
To create an exciting interactive museum where visitors can
experience life in a paper-making community. The museum
will encourage tourism and increase economic activity and
showcase our distinctive heritage.
Big Dream : To become a permanent
presence in the western mountain area and to
increase the economic development of surrounding
communities. We owe it to our children and
our forefathers to leave behind the history
of their community. We hope you consider us
with your donation in making our Big Dream
come true.
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