For More Information:
Carol Colson
Bangor Savings Bank
(207) 990-6465
carol.colson@bangor.com
BIDDEFORD, Maine – A gift of $30,000 from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will enable a new exhibit created by the Biddeford Mills Museum to open to the public. The 1,500 square feet long-term exhibition will be located in the grand foyer of the Pepperell Mill Campus in Biddeford.
The Biddeford mill textile business had been in decline for many years and was on the verge of closure. In came Doug Sanford in 2009 with the creative vision of transforming the complex into a mixed use residential and commercial campus, which is now the Pepperell Mill Campus. The campus is now home to 120 businesses and 160 residents. During the cleanup and renovation process, it was clear that all of the machinery and items left untouched for years held a history that needed to be preserved. The Biddeford Mills Museum, in partnership with the Maine Historical Society, will ensure that the rich heritage of the mill is told through a creative use of space, artifacts, images, reproductions, interactive technology, and architectural features.
“As a part of the real estate development team of the mill, it has been our quest from the beginning to provide the environment and exhibit material base to foster the start-up of the museum. As a museum board member, we are really excited about the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation gift, as it completes the amount of funding required to open the new exhibit. Additionally, we are very pleased to be partnering with The Maine Historical Society on the new exhibit. We could not have done any of this without the guidance of Maine Historical Society, and the funding assistance of Bangor Savings Bank”, says Scott Joslin, COO Pepperell Mill Campus and board member of the Biddeford Mills Museum.
“We’re proud to support the Biddeford Mills Museum and their mission to preserve the history and stories of this mill town. It’s important to tell the story of Maine’s mills. They were the driving force of our economy, providing jobs and growth in Maine. The people that worked at these mills – their strong work ethic and pride in craftsmanship – truly helped to make this state what it is today.” Bangor Savings Bank President and CEO, Bob Montgomery-Rice.
For more information about the museum, please contact Biddeford Mill Museum Board President Jeff Cabral at 207-229-6387.