Threads of Time:

The Legacy of Bates Mill in Lewiston, Maine 

 Historical images courtesy of the Maine MILL

In the heart of Lewiston, Maine, the legacy of the Bates Mill weaves through the history of the community like threads of the cherished textiles it once produced. Established in 1850 by Benjamin Bates, the Bates  Manufacturing Company swiftly grew into one of New England’s largest textile manufacturers.

Benjamin Bates, born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, in 1808, was an American textile tycoon and philanthropist who moved to Maine and created a craft goods and service firm in the 1830s. In 1852, he built the Bates Mill. Powered by the mighty Androscoggin River, the Bates Mill boasted an impressive 36,000 spindles at its peak operations, employing over 5,000 workers and producing millions of yards of cotton goods annually.

During the Civil War, Bates Manufacturing produced tent cloth and backpacks for the Union Army. Later, in addition to a large line of bedding, which included sheets, blankets, and the famous bedspreads, they were also making table linens and curtains. This transformed Lewiston from a quiet agricultural town into a bustling city. By the end of the 19th century, the Bates Mill was Maine’s largest employer, drawing in labor from Maine, Europe, and Canada.

Inside the Mill, walls and windows were painted with fleur de lis and shamrocks to denote areas where French Canadian and Irish immigrants worked.

The impact of the Bates Mill extended beyond economics. It shaped the cultural landscape of Lewiston, attracting French-Canadian and Irish immigrants seeking employment, whose descendants continue to influence the city today. This influx not only fueled the mill’s operations but laid the groundwork for Lewiston’s vibrant multicultural identity. 

Retired silk screens that were once used for printing onto the many bedspreads and other textiles produced in the Bates Mill.

In 1858, the Bates Manufacturing Company achieved another milestone by introducing the first Bates bedspread, the Martha Washington, which is shown on the Bates Bed. This marked the beginning of a legacy in American textiles and the integrity and resilience of Maine manufacturing. These bedspreads, renowned for their quality and craftsmanship, soon became iconic pieces cherished in homes across the country. 

As Lewiston flourished industrially, so too did its educational institutions. Bates College, founded initially as the Maine State Seminary in 1855, was renamed in honor of Benjamin Bates in 1863. This liberal arts college, situated amidst the thriving mill community, played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s intellectual and cultural landscape. 

The beauty of the landscape and the authenticity of the Maine people charmed Tom and Mary Moser in the early 1960s. In 1967, Tom accepted a position at Bates College as an associate professor of speech and debate coach and the African American Society advisor. During the 1971-72 academic year, Tom took a leave of absence to pursue his interest in furniture building, and in the fall of 1972, he and Mary founded Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers.  

The Bates Bed is our ode to the hardworking individuals who have made Lewiston-Auburn a place to be proud to call home and celebrates the rich heritage of Maine manufacturing and the heirloom quality and craftsmanship that can only be achieved by something made by hand. 

Despite changes in the textile industry, the spirit of craftsmanship and tradition established by Benjamin Bates lives on. In 2002, Maine Heritage Weavers revitalized the legacy of the Bates bedspread, preserving its heritage while adapting to modern manufacturing techniques. Today, these textiles remain proudly “loomed to be heirloomed,” in Maine, reflecting a commitment to the quality of American-made craftsmanship that makes the company the ideal partnership when presenting the new Bates Bed. 

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, the Bates Mill complex continues to serve as a community hub. The newly rehabilitated complex is home to tech companies, apartments, breweries, and the Maine MILL (Museum of Innovation and Learning + Labor), dedicated to telling the rich history of the mill and community through a vast collection of salvaged machinery, artifacts, archival photographs, and an oral history library.  

           Workers heading into the mill circa 1950s.

The story of the Bates Mill is not just one of industry and innovation but also of community and resilience. Its legacy continues, not just in the physical beauty of the building but also in the hearts of the people who call Lewiston home—a true testament to the power and enduring impact of entrepreneurship, cultural diversity, community, and the timeless art of craftsmanship. 

A special thank you to the Maine MILL for sharing this historic space with us, enriching our photoshoot with the history of the community that has welcomed us with open arms for over 50 years. Their invaluable guidance and insights into what the Bates Mill was like throughout the years, combined with their collection of archives and historical photos, have enhanced our narrative and shared a historic part of our vibrant community.

You May Also Enjoy…