Maia's Tobacco Factory, known as one of the oldest on São Miguel island, labored in the parish of Maia between 1871 to 1988. The factory was founded by Manuel Bento de Sousa, with their children and grandchildren continuing his work, after he passed away. Due to competition and decline in investment, the factory had to shut down in 1988. The building were dissociated from its duties, but the memory of the agricultural production and industrial tobacco technical processes still remained alive.

Maia Tobacco Museum strongly reflects the collective memory of the local community.

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