Freeport Historical Society's interpretation of the sounds of a shoe factory.  Sounds downloaded from www.freesound.org, mixed by Rebecca McNulty.
Original sound tracks by phonoflora, marjan83, Razzvio, Robinhood76, VKProduktion, jimsim, n8daly,  serbanel73 and juskiddink.
Copyright Freeport Historical Society, 2015.


Shoe Factory Interior Noise

Alden Grant of Freeport, Maine, describes the shoemaking industry in Freeport as witnessed by his father, Alden Grant, Sr., in the 1940s.  Alden Grant, Sr. would go on to establish and supervise Commonwealth Shoe's handsewn moccasin operations in Freeport (1 min. 30s.)

Exceprted from an oral history interview with Alden Grant of Freeport.  Interview conducted by Rebecca Hotelling for Freeport Historical Society, April 15, 2015.

Copyright Freeport Historical Society, 2015


Freeport's Many Shoe Factories, 1940s - Alden Grant

Alden Grant Jr. describes his father, Alden Grant Sr.'s role in establishing a handsewing operation for Commonwealth Shoe - firstly in Monmouth, Maine, and, from 1956, in Freeport, Maine.

Excerpt from an oral history interview conducted by Rebecca Hotelling, April 15, 2015.
Copyright Freeport Historical Society, 2015.

Commonwealth Shoe's Handsewn Division, as told by Alden Grant, Jr.

Alden Grant Sr., who founded the handsewing division of Commonwealth Shoe in Maine, learned "everything he could about the shoe" in a variety of ways.  His son, Alden Grant, Jr., describes his father's apprenticeship to a master handsewer in Auburn, Maine, and his personal interest in the anatomy of the foot.  Grant Sr. would go on to found his own business making orthopedic shoes.

Excerpt from an oral history interview conducted by Rebecca Hotelling in Freeport, Maine, April 15, 2015.
Copyright Freeport Historical Society, 2015.

Training as a Master Handsewer, as told by Alden Grant Jr

Alden Grant, Jr., describes the factors that encouraged a shoemaking industry in Freeport, Maine, and the process of decline which saw them all but disappear in the late 20th century.  LL Bean still produces its famous Bean Boots in neighboring Brunswick.  Alden's father, Alden Grant Sr., was the Superintendent of Handsewing for Commonwealth Shoe in Freeport.

Excerpts from an oral history interview by Rebecca Hotelling, April 15, 2015.  Copyright Freeport Historical Society, 2015.

Rise and Decline of Freeport Shoe Factories, as told by Alden Grant

Alden Grant Jr. describes the status of handsewers within the shoe manufacturing industry in the 1950s and 60s.  Alden's father, Alden Grant Sr., was the Superintendent of Handsewing for Commonwealth Shoe. Alden Jr. worked as a handsewer under his father's tutelage. 

Excerpts from an oral history interview conducted by Rebecca Hotelling, April 15, 2015.  Copyright Freeport Historical Society, 2015.

The Status of Handsewers, as told by Alden Grant, Jr.

Alden Grant Jr.'s father, Alden Sr., was the Superintendent of Handsewing for Commonwealth Shoe, and oversaw a factory in Freeport, Maine.  Alden Jr. recounts his summers working for his father, beginning at age 15, and his progression to handsewing - the most prestigious job in the shoe industry.  Alden also recounts the importance of quality control in handsewn shoes.

Excerpts from an oral history interview conducted by Rebecca Hotelling, April 15, 2015.
Copyright Freeport Historical Society, 2015.

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