LEWISTON — Museum L-A’s “Portraits & Voices: Shoemaking Skills of Generations” will come to a close on June 30. The exhibit features oral histories and portraits of the people who helped distinguish Auburn as one of the largest producers of shoes in the nation at one time.

These people built an industry that continues to produce world-famous shoes today in Lewiston-Auburn.

Through photos and text, visitors can learn the steps of making a shoe and welt-boot making, and get a glimpse into the “cottage industry” of shoemaking at home. Videos show the shoemaking process and techniques of handsewing a shoe. A special display features L.L.Bean’s connections to the community, past and present.

Oral history transcripts, audio recordings and images from the “Shoemakers” exhibit will continue to be available on the museum’s website. Selections from this exhibit will be incorporated into the museum’s second floor gallery, which continues to be open while first-floor galleries are prepared for the July 27 opening of the “Power of Music” exhibit series.

Museum L-A is at 35 Canal St. in the Bates Mill Complex. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 333-3881, email  info@museumla.org or visit www.museumla.org.

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