Give your students the opportunity to explore Maine’s industrial heritage through a full day of hands-on learning at Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor (Maine MILL) and the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn Campus.
Students will investigate how Maine’s mill communities shaped the lives of generations of workers and families. At the Osher Map Library’s Map Lab, they will examine historic maps of Androscoggin County to discover how mills transformed the landscape and fueled community growth. Through the Franco-American Collection, students will explore personal stories, and primary sources that highlight the experiences of the people whose lives were intertwined with the mills. The experience continues at Maine MILL, where students will tour the museum’s permanent exhibits, learn how Maine’s textile and shoe industries helped drive the state’s economy, and discover the innovations that changed manufacturing. Students will then work together in an engaging production line simulation, taking on specialized roles to experience firsthand how teamwork, efficiency, and industrialization transformed factory production.
This interdisciplinary field trip combines history, geography, primary source analysis, and hands-on problem-solving to help students connect people, places, and industry in a meaningful and memorable way. This collaborative program is offered in partnership with the Osher Map Library Map Lab and the Franco American Collection at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn Campus. Please contact us for more information.
2026-2027 School Year Field Trip
Recommended Grades: 4 and up