Museum L-A Executive Director to address Rotarians, give tour

LEWISTON — Museum L-A Executive Director Rachel Desgrosseilliers will be the featured speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club off-site luncheon meeting at noon Thursday, March 15, at Museum L-A, 35 Canal St.

Desgrosseilliers received her B.S. in accounting from New Hampshire College and her master’s in hospital and health care administration from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Desgrosseilliers has been self-employed through her photography studio “Prints by Rachel” and Gooseberry Barn, which she owned with her husband, Harvey, for 20 years.

Desgrosseilliers was founder of the Great Falls Balloon Festival and for the past 13 years has overseen the growth of Museum L-A, a museum of work and community that has received several awards from the museum field.

Museum L-A has just recently turned the corner from the economic downturn and is moving forward with new staff, new programs, new board members and new momentum.

After updating Rotarians on the museum’s future direction, a special behind-the-scenes tour will be conducted. Members will be able to view the Kids as Curators Exhibit of the Auburn Middle and Lewiston High School students as well as a preview of the redesign of the permanent exhibit to incorporate the many artifacts and display pieces that were received from the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts, along with the new exhibit section that is being created to showcase the shoe industry businesses still in existence today.

Desgrosseilliers serves on many local committees and task forces, received the Chamber of Commerce Ray Geiger Award for leadership in the community; Auburn Citizen of the Year for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Community and Citizens of Auburn; Business Woman of the Year from the Professional Business Woman’s Association; an, was inducted in the Franco Hall of Fame for the state for work done to preserve and enhance the history of Franco-Americans in Maine.

Lunch, provided by Grant’s Bakery, is $14 person and guest reservations are requested by calling 207-713-7045. FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chaiwoman, Monica Millhime, 207-713-7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net. Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.