Community Overview
Maine seasons
With the crisp air of Autumn comes a chance to experiance a quintessential fall weekend in Maine. For starters, you'll be amazed at the glorious colors on display across the state. From the quiet coastal villages to lakeside golf courses to scenic mountain passes, Maine offers a variety of setting's for natures brilliant show. From the first day of spring to last day of summer, Maine is a outdoor wonderland. Winter is the season when Maine truly sparkles. So the next time you're thinking of a cozy winter getaway,Think Maine.
History and Culture of Mills on Display Here
From the 1850's to the 1950's the textile mills, shoe mills and brickyards of Lewiston and neighboring Auburn (L-A) made up the state's largest manufacturing center. Museum L-A documents the industries and the people who made them thrive. Within the 1850's Bates Mill, the museum displays vintage machinery, tools, shoes and quilts along with an oral history tour of mill workers from both cities. Open year-round, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Phone: 207-333-3881
Meet "The Craig"
At an elevation of 510 feet, Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston ("The Crag") a 312 acre wildlife preserve, is forested oasis above the city surrounded on three sides by urban development. Throncrag encompasses several habitats: upland wetlands, mixed forest, restored farm meadows, vernal pools, and old growth forest. Visitors are encouraged to walk the trails, using a 32-page brochure for guidance. Passive recreation like birdwatching, walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledding, skating, and nature photography are encourage.
FRANCO AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER
In the 1860s, the first French speaking Canadian migrants come to Lewiston-Auburn, Maine to work in the textile mills & shoe shops. In 1907 many arrived at the Grand Trunk Rail depot on Lincoln Street in Lewiston where they settled in an area know to this day as Little Canada. In 1907 St. Mary’s Parish was established in the Little Canada neighborhood. It served the people and became an important focal point for the population.
At one time St. Mary's Parish was a thriving and well attended church, however with the decline of the industries that encouraged families to populate the neighborhood, the church began to suffer financially. The Catholic Diocese of Portland announced that it would be closing St. Mary's as of July 1st, 2000. Many people in the community wanted to preserve this symbol of Franco-American culture. After closing St. Mary's Church, the Franco American Heritage Center at St. Mary's was established, as a Performing Art, Museum and Learning Center.
Bates College
Bates College, widely regarded as one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the nation, is dedicated to the principle of active engagement. A 10-1 student-faculty ratio makes possible close collaborations in classroom and laboratory, and the Bates learning experience is honed through seminars, research, service-learning, and the capstone of senior thesis. Typically, two-thirds of Bates' 1,700 students study abroad. Co-curricular life is rich: most students participate in club and varsity sports; many participate in performing arts; and almost all students participate in one of more than 90 student-run clubs or organizations. Alumni frequently cite the capacities they developed at Bates for critical assessment, analysis, expression, aesthetic sensibility and independent thought. About 40 percent of students participate in career internships, and more than two-thirds of recent graduates enroll in graduate study within 10 years after graduation. Bates was founded in 1855 by Maine abolitionists, and Bates graduates have always included men and women from diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Central Maine Community College
CMCC offers educational opportunities for both transfer to baccalaureate programs and career preparations. Associate in arts and Associate in science degrees are designed as the first two of a more advanced degree. The associate in applied science degree, certificates, and diplomas are designed to have a set of core competiences that will enable them to be qualified and productive members of the workforce and to continue there education after they graduate and through out their lives.
Central Maine Medical Center
Wellness solutions designs custom programs for individuals striving to improve their overall well-being as well as to assist in risk factor reduction.
The wellness solutions staff is knowledgeable in fitness assessment and has the teaching skills to provide effective one-on-one instruction and spontaneous guideance to those seeking to enhance their quality of life through health and fitness activities.
Wellness solutions provides its services in an environment that is not judgemental and supportive, with with emphasis on confidentiality and positive mind set.
CMHVI's outreach and prevention services is designed to introduce individuals to the concept of good "Heart Health" CMHVI's primary prevention activities are designed to help people adopt a heart healthy life style and the secondary prevention program assist those who have suffered a heart attack.
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
For nearly 125 years we have provided comprehensive health care to many generations in our diverse community.
St. Mary's Health System includes St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, a 233-bed acute care facility; Community Clinical Services, with primary care and speciality physicians, physician assistance, nurce practitioners, and midwives; St. Mary's D'Youville Pavillion, one of the largest nursing homes north of Boston, with 210-beds dedicated to long-term care, a secure Alzhemiers unit, and Center for traditional Rehab care; St Mary's Residence; an independant living center; and St. Mary's Work/Med; occupational health services, which provides comprehensive work site services to businesses in Androscoggin County and beyond.
The Chamber of Commerce
Good jobs and economic growths are goals that most in Maine and Androscoggin county can agree upon even if we are not always able to agree on the means to that end and the pace of progress. It is the sense of our Chamber of Commerce that there has not been adequate progress on critical changes and investments necessary for the future of our State. It is true that some changes and investments with require hard choices, but necessary change should not be avoided simply because it is difficult.
Auburn Public Library
In 1890, The Auburn board of Trade charged a committee to plan a library for the city of Auburn. The trustees rented 2 rooms, in the Elm Block, above the Auburn Trust Company and Miss Ann Prescott was appointed librarian. The library opened for business on August 21,1891.
In 1902, library trustees received noticed that philanthropist Andrew Carnegie would give Auburn $25,000 to construct a building to house it's Library. Ground was broken on July 22, 1903, and the Auburn Public library opened on August 1st 1904
