LIVERMORE FALLS – Each room was set up to tell a story about the paper industry from its onset along the Androscoggin River centuries ago to today. The new Maine Paper and Heritage Museum highlights the rich history of the paper mills and the people who made them strong.

Currently the histories featured are Wausau Paper’s Otis Mill, Verso Paper’s Androscoggin Mill and NewPage’s Rumford Mill, all owned by other companies when built.

The museum is set to open at 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, on History Night, at its new home on Church Street. International Paper donated the former mill manager’s Italian-ornate house, with its oak, raised-panel woodwork and stained-glass windows to be used as the museum.

Sherry Judd, president of the museum board, worked on a display Sunday in the Androscoggin Room. It is one of 14 rooms in the three-story house to be filled with historic artifacts.

The family of late historian Eli Duguay of Livermore donated a large wall-board he made that lights up different parts of Verso Paper’s Androscoggin’s Mill when buttons are pushed.

“This is a good learning tool for the children,” she said.

Judd held a large poster that showed the paper-making process. It will be framed and go on the opposite wall.

One of several people driving the museum establishment, Judd said she realized the history needs to be preserved after talking to her children once and finding out that they didn’t know what went on in the mill.

It became her passion to make sure adults and children alike know how hard their fathers and forefathers worked to develop the mills and the communities, she said.

Phil Poirier, a graphic artist, put the final touches on a display in the Forestry Room.

Tools of the trade used by loggers, surveyors and timber cruisers are featured here. Under an arched-window on an inside wall is a large print of men on a log drive.

Poirier and artist Heidi Wilde, both of Livermore Falls, have organized several displays in the museum.

Poirier was drawn to the project for a few reasons. One was through his involvement in the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group as past president, Poirier said.

He believes this museum is key to any kind of economic revitalization and with proper efforts applied, it will become an anchor, Poirier said.

“I believe really strongly in that,” he said.

Another reason, he said, is that it is important to maintain and display the heritage of the paper industry.

And another one, closer to home, is that his father worked at the Rumford mill for 45 years, Poirier said, and others in his family have worked there as well.

One of his grandfathers came from New Brunswick and worked as a logger and then at the paper mill, Poirier said. Another grandfather was also a logger and his grandmother worked as a cook in the logging camps.

Wilde said she listened to people who knew the history behind the displays before she chose items in the rooms to best tell stories.

In the Early History Room, a large photo of the late Brad Craft, a papermaker is featured on one wall.

“He was a visionary. He saved all the history of the mill,” Judd said.

A typewriter and a large antique organ are in the room. A large, ornate gold and leather embossed family Bible with metal clasps donated by Bob and Betty Adams sits on the fireplace mantel and history books line the shelves of a bookcase.

A replica of train engine No. 247, about 5 feet long and 2 feet high, built by Judd’s uncle, Ralph Smith of Jay, rests atop a display box in the front entryway. It is one of a 10-car Central Maine Railroad train that went through Livermore Falls, Judd said.

“It’s a work in progress, as all museums are,” Poirier said.