Maine Memory Network

Where are the French?
by Rhea Côté Robbins

Franco-Americans in Maine

Bert Gagne-from star athlete to community barber
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center Voices of Biddeford project

Bert’s personal account of his lifelong non-stop approach including his 60+ years as a barber.

Valeda Couture: a mother’s view on immigration of her children
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Quebec farm life and a mother’s experience when 7 of her 12 children move to Biddeford.

Finding and cooking fiddleheads with my parents
by Brian J. Theriault

My father has been picking and eating fiddleheads almost all his life, Mom prepares and stores them

Growing up in Lewiston and running Museum L-A
by Rachel Desgrosseilliers

Growing up Franco-American and honoring our mill working heritage

How Mon-Oncle France came to Les-États
by Michael Parent

How Mon-Oncle France came to the United States.

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

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.

Ah, les Fameuse Ployes!
by Alain Ouellette

Growing up in an Acadian French family and eating ployes

Becoming Master snowshoe makers
by Edmond and Brian J. Theriault

Making snowshoes has taken us from novices to world-class craftsmen over 40 years time.

Dan Gagne: The story behind Biddeford’s legendary speed skater
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Stories from a competitive athlete with countless awards and contributions to his community

Growing up in Lewiston
by Kathy Becvar

Growing up in Lewiston in the 1960s and 1970s.

The man who dedicated 52 years to Biddeford's iconic Alex Pizza
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A work ethic learned from his parents and passion for the employees and customers of Alex Pizza.

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

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

Alice Bertrand shares highlights from her 100+ years
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

What is it like to live through all the events that have occurred in the past 100+ years?

Biddeford and Maine Franco-American Hall of Fame Award recipient
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

With options to be a college French professor, became a lawyer, mayor, DA & District Court Judge

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.

Story of the "little nun"
by Felicia Garant

My grandmother made a nun's outfit for me

Annette Addorio: 100+ years of memories from full life
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

From 1914 to 2018, highlights from my life in Biddeford

Dr. Norman Beaupré: Preserving his Franco-American culture
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Journey growing up as a Franco-American in Biddeford to his career as a professor and author.

Elizabeth Mantis Spiliopoulos: passion for life & Greek heritage
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A spunky 99-year-old shares her crystal-clear recollections of all the changes in her lifetime

Geraldine Litalien: painting a picture of life in Biddeford
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Impact on everyday life from events occurring from the late 1920s through 2018

Michael Reilly: preserving an iconic family business
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

The story behind Reilly's Bakery, at the heart of Biddeford’s Main Street for 100+ years