‘Covering the Nation’ exhibit
includes patriot bedding
made by Bates Mill

LEWISTON — Museum L-A is participating in the New England Museum Association’s program designed to honor America’s veterans by giving them free access to participating museums throughout the region.

Museum L-A will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11.

Included in the museum’s offerings are the exhibit “Covering the Nation: The Art of the Bates Bedspread.”

Bates Manufacturing Co. was established in Lewiston in 1850 by Benjamin Bates, and became one of the largest textile manufacturers in New England. The mill ran thousands of spindles, employed thousands of workers and produced millions of yards of top-quality cotton each year during the Civil War to supply the Union Army with fabric for bedding, tents and uniforms.

During World War II, Bates fulfilled government and institutional contracts for the manufacturing of goods for the military. Bates not only clothed the Army and the Navy, but fulfilled government contracts for bed covers.

One Navy government contract resulted in a bed cover with the U.S. Navy crest, and is on display at the museum.

Bates was also contracted to make bed covers for many military schools such as The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. An example of this commissioned piece is on exhibit. Though faded, it still shows the honored symbol of the school.

Bates also wove for the domestic market, producing wartime coverlets depicting the likes of flight patrols, aircraft and the Pacific fleet among the designs. Flight Patrol was produced in 1941 and has American fighter planes reproduced in exact detail.

These examples and others are on display in the “Patriot” section of the exhibit, curated by Jacqueline Field, textile historian.

Veteran volunteer Tom Jarvis has served at the museum for the past three years as a collections manager. He ensures museum objects are properly cared for and often has to manage the involved task of storage. Conservation and record-keeping associated with Museum L-A artifacts is also part of his role.

Jarvis served in the Navy for 26 years and retired in 1993 with the rank of chief petty officer (E-7), aviation antisubmarine warfare operator. He was initially drafted into service in 1960 and served two deployments to Vietnam. He didn’t anticipate the military would become a career, but it did.

“I am proud of my 26 years of service,” said Jarvis.

Museum L-A is at 35 Canal St., Bates Mill Complex. Those attending should enter the parking lot from Chestnut Street.