My Maine Stories

Added June 3, 2021

Maine and the Atlantic World Slave Economy
by Seth Goldstein

How Maine's historic industries are tied to slavery

Added January 21, 2020

A Maine Family's story of being Prisoners of War in Manila
by Nicki Griffin

As a child, born after the war, I would hear these stories - glad they were finally written down

Added April 27, 2018

Working at International Paper and being part of the community
by Gary Desjardens

Working for International Paper and volunteering for the Special Olympics of America

Added April 27, 2018

I worked for International Paper for 40 years
by Peter Crosson

I was never bored working in instrumentation at International Paper

Added January 31, 2018

My paper making history
by Rick Simoneau

The history of my grandfather, father, and I working in the mills instilled a sense of community

Added September 22, 2017

Mosher family history and my career at S.D. Warren
by Abbott Mosher

My family settled the Westbrook region and I am a 4th generation paper maker at S.D. Warren.

Added September 22, 2017

Everything we did was new and exciting in the Vellux division
by Maurice Paquette

If you applied yourself you could do anything at Pepperell Mills.

Added September 22, 2017

My career working at Pepperell Mills in the Vellux Division
by David Bishop

My 35 years working in the Vellux blanket division of Pepperell Mills, Biddeford.

Added June 8, 2017

My career as a chemical engineer for S.D. Warren Paper Company
by Charles Dodge

I worked in S.D. Warren's laboratory, and developed paper coatings, like Ultracast technology

Added June 3, 2017

Canadian immigrant founds worlds largest paper company in 1898
by Hugh J. Chisholm

Hugh J. Chisholm founded International Paper, which was the world's largest paper company in 1898.

Added May 26, 2017

Two generations tell the family's Paper story
by Normand and Richard Paradis

Father and son discuss their lives working for International Paper and changes over time

Added May 23, 2017

I never thought I would work at a paper mill.
by Greg Bizier

I love science and managed the lab for International Paper's Otis Mill for 31 years.

Added May 22, 2017

First night on the pulp pile at zero degrees, to mill foreman
by Arthur Benedetto

I worked my way up in International Paper, moving from the pick ax pile to a foreman on computers

Added May 22, 2017

I work as a Journeyman Mechanic, or Millwright at Catalyst
by Linda Deane

Working on a paper machine and as a Millwright can be challenging as a woman and a Union Rep.

Added May 18, 2017

Being a woman Union member was a challenge in the paper mill
by Cindy Bennett

I worked in the paper mills and for the Union during the 1987 strike.

Added May 17, 2017

My Paper Industry career and setting up a museum
by Sherry Judd

I worked in and around the Paper Industry all my life. Now I run Maine's Paper and Heritage Museum.

Added May 11, 2017

There were years when it was fun to go to work at the paper mill
by Bruce Dyke

My 39 years working for International Paper was a great job for a guy like me.

Added May 11, 2017

If you wanted a good job, the mill was the place to be.
by Brent Gay

Changes in the paper industry, labor strikes, and the community around International Paper's mills

Added May 11, 2017

It was like a family in the mill
by Arnold R. Couture

I saw a lot of changes at the International Paper Otis Mill during my 26 years as an electrician

Added May 5, 2017

My 41 year career in Maine paper mills
by Mike Luciano

Generations of paper workers, families, immigrants, jobs in the mill, labor strikes, and changes

Added May 2, 2017

My 40 years in Forestry and the Paper Industry in Maine
by Donna Cassese

I was the first female forester hired by Scott Paper and continue to find new uses for wood.