Seventy-five canneries dotted Maine’s eastern coastline in 1900, producing canned sardines which were shipped across the nation.

The work was seasonal, with intense periods coming in the fall and many unskilled workers willing to work long hours during these periods were needed.

This period coincided with the end of the fall harvest season, so Maine’s farm families were recruited for this work.

And entire families, including moms and children, would take these cannery jobs.r

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