Mills, Paul oral history interview

Authors

Andrea L'Hommedieu

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

5-3-2000

Interview Number

MOH 173

Abstract

Paul Harland Mills was born in Farmington, Maine to Katherine (Coffin) Mills and S. Peter Mills, II. In 1953, he moved to Gorham with his family so his father could take a position as U.S. Attorney. He returned to Farmington at the age of ten, and continued his schooling in the Farmington public schools. He graduated from Mount Blue High School in 1970. He attended Harvard for his undergraduate education, then the University of Maine School of Law. In high school, he worked for a Farmington radio station and at Harvard, worked for three radio stations. When he returned to Maine, he worked at WGAN in Portland writing feature stories and news copy. He also hosted a political talk radio show on WLOB. Mills returned to Farmington in 1977 to practice law with his father. In the late 1980s, he joined WGME TV in Portland as a guest political commentator. He has also written monthly columns for the Lewiston Sunday Journal.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: Portland radio and TV broadcast journalism; law profession; Farmington 1962-1970; shoe industry in Farmington; waiting for Kennedy in 1960; support of Margaret Chase Smith; Margaret Chase Smith’s relationship with the Mills family; Cormier vs. Smith Senate Race; Peter Mills II political affiliations; Peter Mills significant rulings as judge; Katherine (Coffin) Mills as a distant relative of Frank Coffin; political talk in the Mills home; Margaret Chase Smith and Bill Lewis; Gwil Roberts; Severin Beliveau’s relationship with the Mills family; Margaret Chase Smith personal information; Smith’s moderate political views, but conservative military views; Smith’s influence on Janet and Dora Ann Mills; Smith’s relationship with Democrats; Janet Mills; Gwil Roberts’ political career; Currier Holman; Holman family; relationship between the Holmans and the Millses; Agnes Mantor; meeting Ed Muskie; Paul Mills’ impression of Ed Muskie; Peter Mills II’s political involvement after appointment to the bench; 1964 election; Big Box; newspaper columns; working with Christian Potholm on The Insider’s Guide; Muskie’s legislation and its effect on Nixon’s policies; and Muskie as being underestimated in Maine history.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

Recommended Citation

L'Hommedieu, Andrea, "Mills, Paul oral history interview" (2000). Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection. 270.
https://scarab.bates.edu/muskie_oh/270