GYRL
Hosting Local Artist
In its continuing efforts to promote the
arts in the Gilmanton community, the Gilmanton Year-Round Library
will be displaying the works of artist Kim Morrison.
Ms. Morrison
grew-up on the sea coast of New Hampshire where she developed a
great appreciation for the seasons of nature and the cycles of life
that can be found all around us. Her works display an artistic
style that represents a very honest philosophy of life which
revolves around the importance of sustainability and a focus on the
awareness of our inevitable demise.
Each of her works is created
with a deep respect for life, death, and all things natural.
The beauty of the naturally discovered artifacts she works with are
a medium not utilized enough in the opinion of the artist behind
these unique works.
Montgomery Ward vs Sears Roebuck is the topic at the Gilmanton
Historical Society’s program on Tuesday, May 23, 7:30 pm at Old Town
Hall in Gilmanton Iron Works.
Gilmanton Historical Society’s Program: Sears Roebuck vs.
Montgomery Ward Submitted By Carolyn Baldwin
Montgomery Ward
and Sears Roebuck: The 100 Year War at Gilmanton Historical Society
May 23rd.
The Gilmanton Historical Society opens its 2017 summer
series on Tuesday evening, May 23, with a presentation by Calvin
Knickerbocker on the competition between Montgomery Ward and Sears
Roebuck through most of the 20th century. The program,
supported by New Hampshire Humanities, is at Old Town Hall in
Gilmanton Iron Works, begining at 7:30 pm. Refreshments and
social hour begin at 7 pm and the Society’s Museum, in the basement
of Old Town Hall, also opens at 7 pm.
Aaron Montgomery Ward
started the first general purpose catalog sales offering in 1872,
focusing on rural customers in the Midwest. He soon expanded to
include the entire nation. Richard Sears founded his only similar
competitor in 1893. From then until Wards dropped its catalog option
in 1985 the two battled for mail order supremacy.
Wards was more
conservative, while Sears aggressively “peddled” its goods. As a
result, Sears took over the lead in sales volume by 1900 and never
lost that lead. A number of key decisions and leadership changes by
both companies made for interesting situations.
This presentation
follows the creation, evolution, and eventual demise of catalog
sales as a major force in our nation. As the population became more
urban, both companies opened retail stores which, soon after WWII,
outstripped catalog as their major source of revenue. Again, key
decisions made a huge difference in the relative success of the two
companies.
Many actual catalog pages from 1875 to the 1980s will
be shown, illustrating the changing emphasis from rural to urban and
from utilitarian to luxury goods over the years.
New Hampshire
was primarily rural when these catalogs began to be offered. Many of
us grew up purchasing clothing, books, tools, and many other types
of merchandise by mail. Wards and Sears catalogs were among our most
familiar items!
This program is the first in the Gilmanton
Historical Society’s 2017 summer series. Programs are offered
on the 4th Tuesday of each month, May through September. In
June Glenn Knoblock tells us about New Hampshire Weathervanes.
In July join the Society for a walking tour of the Gilmanton Corner
village. Pat Clarke tells us about Gilmanton Summer Hotels in
August. The final program in September addresses the hurricane of
1938. The Society’s Museum in Old Town Hall features an
exhibit of Vintage Clothing worn by Gilmanton residents on Saturday
morning, July 29th, 10 am to noon.
The
programs are free and open to the public. Donations to support
the work of the Society are always welcome.
Gilmanton Food Pantry And Thrift Shop
Correction: The
correct telephone number for the Gilmanton Food Pantry and Thrift
Shop is 603-364-0114.
An incorrect number was submitted as part
of a recent news article which appeared in the paper recently. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Thank you for your
continued support!
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