Bates Mill Store

904 Main Street

Monmouth, ME

FMI : http://www.batesmillstore.com/

Bates Manufacturing was established in Lewiston ME in 1850 by Benjamin Bates.  By 1857 the Bates Mill had 36,000 spindles, 1,000 hands and it turned out 5.7 million yards of the finest quality cotton.  In 1858 he started making Bedspreads.  These spreads are still highly desirable and can last for years!

The company closed its doors in 2000, but was quickly bought by former President of the company and his daughter, forming Maine Heritage Weavers.  He hired back the Bates Mill employees who lost their jobs when the mill closed in 2000.  They have maintained the highest quality and have kept many of the patterns previously loomed.

Martha Washington Choice Coverlet was sold to George Washington as a wedding present.  Though the original weave was lost when the company moved to textile machinery which replaced skilled hand weavers, they managed to recreate by the year 1940.  It was sold for 75 years before it's temporary retirement.