Keywords: Textile Manufacturing
Item 104659
Rene W. Boisvert, founder of Biddeford Textile, Biddeford, ca. 1997
Contributed by: Biddeford Mills Museum Date: 1997 Location: Biddeford Media: Digital photograph
Item 6994
Textile mill workers, ca. 1900
Contributed by: Lewiston Public Library Date: circa 1900 Location: Lewiston Media: Phototransparency
Exhibit
Biddeford, Saco and the Textile Industry
The largest textile factory in the country reached seven stories up on the banks of the Saco River in 1825, ushering in more than a century of making cloth in Biddeford and Saco. Along with the industry came larger populations and commercial, retail, social, and cultural growth.
Exhibit
Silk Manufacturing in Westbrook
Cultivation of silkworms and manufacture of silk thread was touted as a new agricultural boon for Maine in the early 19th century. However, only small-scale silk production followed. In 1874, the Haskell Silk Co. of Westbrook changed that, importing raw silk, and producing silk machine twist threat, then fabrics, until its demise in 1930.
Site Page
"… 1848Dyer Library/Saco Museum The cotton textile manufacturing industry became very significant in Biddeford once the Laconia Mills and Pepperell…"
Site Page
"… city during the 1800’s and early 1900’s as the textile industry in Maine thrived. Like ice, this industry was international and products shipped…"
Story
My career working at Pepperell Mills in the Vellux Division
by David Bishop
My 35 years working in the Vellux blanket division of Pepperell Mills, Biddeford.
Story
Everything we did was new and exciting in the Vellux division
by Maurice Paquette
If you applied yourself you could do anything at Pepperell Mills.
