LEWISTON – Museum L-A, a not-for-profit organization that includes the Museum of Labor and Industry in Lewiston and Auburn, has a lot to be thankful for as they ring in the New Year.

As a result of the recent KeyBank relocation from Lisbon Street to 12 East Ave., KeyBank had office furniture it no longer needed and for which it was looking to find a home.

Knowing that the Museum L-A had a need for items of this type, KeyBank offered the museum the furniture and other assorted office equipment and supplies. The offer came at the right time; the museum is in the process of expanding and settling in to new office space, but a shoestring budget would not allow the purchase of furnishings until funds became available.

The donation from KeyBank of almost 100 pieces of furniture includes a large conference table with chairs, several desks, side tables, bookcases, armchairs, additional tables and office chairs, a dry erase board, refrigerator and wastebaskets.

In response to the community’s increased demand for more programs, Museum L-A recently launched the Museum of Labor and Industry. As a result of the expansion, Museum L-A hired two new staff members in December, a museum assistant and archive assistant.

KeyBank’s donated furniture will allow Museum L-A to set up three offices, along with a reception area, a conference room and storage area. The furniture will also provide workspace to sort through archives.

“What a gift for the museum,” said Rachel Desgrosseilliers, executive director of Museum L-A. “The furniture is opening so many new possibilities to make the museum more professional, as well as giving us badly needed workspace. It is gratifying to see corporate support, such as KeyBank, for the work we are doing in saving the industrial history of our communities.”

Tim Verreault, vice president, retail banking, coastal/central area, KeyBank NA, commented on the donation, saying, “Key recognizes how important nonprofit organizations, such as Museum L-A, are to the Lewiston-Auburn community and we are delighted to be able to donate furniture from our former Lisbon Street KeyCenter. We know that an important element to growth in a community is giving back to that very community where we work and live.”

Museum L-A, incorporated in 1996, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the Industrial Revolution and its workers in Lewiston-Auburn. Local mill workers had a tradition of hard work, technical skill, craftsmanship and vision. This heritage is the story Museum L-A shares through its archives, exhibits, programs and community outreach.

The museum owns a large collection of historical artifacts from the textile industry and is in the process of building collections for the shoe and brick-making industries as well.

For more information about Museum L-A, contact Desgrosseilliers at 782-5238 or via e-mail, rachel@museumla.org. For more information on KeyBank, visit Key.com.