2 min read

The $15 million arts and culture museum, next to Simard-Payne Memorial Park, opened its doors Saturday morning. The museum focuses on the industrial heritage of Lewiston and the surrounding area. On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the museum will offer free admission for the public to visit. (Photos by Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

Rachel Desgrosseilliers, founder of Museum L-A, the precursor to Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor, looks up at the Jacquard loom display at the Maine MILL during its grand opening at 1 Beech St. in Lewiston on June 27. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Hugo Rhoades, left, cuts a piece of thread Saturday morning under the watchful eye of his sister Hari at the community fabric display, one of numerous interactive displays. Purchase this image
People stream into the lobby Saturday morning. Sen. Susan Collins, bottom center, greets the crowd. Purchase this image
Bob Berube, of Lewiston, checks out one of the displays during the grand opening of the museum at 1 Beech St. in Lewiston on Saturday. “My dad worked on looms at the Bates Mill all his life. I remember he would come home, unrecognizable because he was covered in cotton,” he said. Purchase this image
Elliott Ferrante sits on his father Cam’s shoulders as he watches his mom address the crowd. Purchase this image
Amina Mohamud, right, and her nephew, Farah Ahmed, check out one of the interactive displays. Purchase this image
Maine Gov. Janet Mills speaks Saturday morning in front of the Maine MILL. Purchase this image
A young girl looks at the Jacquard loom that wove many pieces of textile at the nearby Bates Mill. Purchase this image
Shuttlecocks, shoe lasts and other pieces of history are on display Saturday. Purchase this image
Parents and children enjoy the Chiarello Children’s Center. Purchase this image
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins addresses the crowd Saturday morning. Purchase this image
Maine Mill Executive Director Rachel Ferrante addresses the crowd gathered Saturday morning at the Maine MILL. Purchase this image
People check out the second floor atrium overlooking Simard-Payne Memorial Park. Purchase this image

A lifelong resident of Lewiston, Russ stumbled into photography as a college student working toward a career in psychology. His great-grandfather Louis B. Costello was the publisher of the Lewiston Daily...

Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.