| Downtown Waterville Lebanese Heritage Mural
Project Description:
Waterville was a rapidly growing industrial city at the turn of the century, and many Lebanese came to the area in search of jobs in the mills. They settled primarily along the Kennebec River at what is now known as the “Head of Falls,” and formed a tight-knit community. They built their own church, started their own school and operated many local businesses out of the fronts of their homes. By the first and second Lebanese generations born in Waterville, the children were offered better education, resulting in more professional jobs. Waterville's Lebanese community helped the city grow with their labor, their church, their businesses, and their community involvement. Many of Downtown Waterville's oldest businesses were started by the Lebanese, and one of our City's most famous sons, George Mitchell, came from this community. Despite the fact that Waterville is the home to one of the largest and oldest Lebanese-American communities in the State of Maine, many people are not aware of this important piece of our cultural heritage. This mural honors the contributions of the Lebanese and will serve to educate residents and visitors alike about the history of Waterville and the role that the Lebanese have played in that history. Created by artist Kevin James, the Downtwon Waterville Lebanese Heritage Mural was dedicated on October 11, 2007.
Special thanks to the following donors for their generous contributions:
Patrons
Alfond Youth Center
Day's Jewelers
Hilary Ervin
The Framemakers
GHM Insurance Agency
Dr. Frank & Peggy Griffin & Family
Kennebec Equipment Rental
Kennebec Savings Bank
Maine Humanities Council
Mark & John Nale
Linda & Stuart Price
St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church
Waterville Main Street
Supporters
Doug Brown & Betsey McCandless Brown, in memory of the George and Mimi Jabar family
William “Billy” Joseph & Family, in honor of my father Abraham Joseph
George J. & Heather Mitchell & Family
Judy & Bob Mitchell & Family
Bill Taylor
Valley Distributors, Inc.
Friends
R.A., in memory of my mother
Richard Boles, in memory of Elias John Boles & his family
Marie F. Deeb, in memory of Sam & Lottie Deeb
The Family of Robert P. Dubord
Shirley & Ken Eskelund
The Ezhaya Family
Janet & Maroon J. George, in memory of the families of Joseph & Sadie George and Simon & Matilda Stevens
Kevin James & Friends
Joey P. Joseph
George K. Joseph
John M. Joseph, Jr.
John M. Joseph
Jonathan Joseph
Roy & Elaine Joseph
Bunny & Herbie Karter
Robert A. & Scoop Marden, WHS ‘45
Anna & Saliem Mitchell
Paul J. Mitchell
The Albert L. Moore Family
Leonard Saulter Family
Earl & Barbara Smith, in memory of Frank R. Hubbard
SBS/Carbon Copy
Southside Tavern
Universalist Unitarian Church
Susan and Gordon Webber, in memory of Rose Corey Ferris
Contributors
A.E. Hodsdon Engineers
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Desmond
Sheila & Sid Farr
Shannon Haines
Karen Heck, in honor of those who have enriched our culture
Lester & Barbara Jolovitz
Dr. & Mrs. Fred Lagomarsino
Kate Maheu
John & Prin Mitchell
Bruce Olson
John & Kath Osbourne
Carol & Sam Shapiro
Lee Anna Stirling
Erik Thomas
Avrum Vinick
Gordon & Myrt Wolman |
