The Denholms book

Denholms in 1968. From the collection of the Worcester Historical Museum

I have never written anything in a lengthy form especially a short book since I was in school.  I must say, the process has been an amazing labor of love.  I have been able to speak with so many former associates and relatives of the Denholms management team, and hear their stories firsthand about their time spent at Denholms.  What amazed me is how much everyone still cares for a store that closed long ago.  The book has exposed me to a group of people that I am so honored to have the chance to reminisce with.  Presently I am in the process of finishing up my portion of the book which covers the stores history from 1871 till its closing in 1974.  All of the imagery has been collected and sorted, and the art department of the History Press (publishers of the book) are in the process of designing the front and back cover....very exciting!  The book is slated for release in November 2011 just in time for the holiday season.   I look forward to being able to share the history of this once grand store with all of you, and I hope that it conjures up your own memories of your shopping experience at Denholms!

Summer!

 

Still writing the book....again I apologize for any lapse in posting.  Here is a shot of the swing shop that used to reside on the third floor behind women's sportswear.  During the holidays, this would convert to pastel cruise wear, or whatever was in fashion at the time.  During the late spring and summer it would change over to swim wear, and for fall wool skirts and sweater sets might be housed in here. 

Again, if anyone has any stories about Denholms that they would like to add to the book, please email me at denholms1@yahoo.com

Have a wonderful summer!

More Denholms then and now

 

High Street entrance now and then.  Still looks relatively the same.

 

Man floor now and then.  It really could use a face lift to modernize it.  new paint and replacing the tile floor would be a great start.

 

I am still writing for the book, so if you have any stories to tell, I would love to hear them!  denholms1@yahoo.com

Denholms then and now

 

Main floor Spring 1964

 

Main floor spring 2011 

Denholms 1951

 

Denholm Building Fall 2010

I have still been writing a lot on the book and doing research, and working at the Denholm building on the windows.  In the meantime, I am going to start posts to show everyone before and after shots of the building.  Some things have changed, but there are still traces of the old store ie; the gilded escalators.

I hope everyone is well, and I apologize for not being able to regularly post on this blog.

Millinery on 3

 

I have been working hard doing research for the new Denholms book, so please pardon my lapse in updates to the blog.  I thought that this photo would be appropriate for the upcoming Easter Holiday. 

This is a photo for the Millinery Department which was located on the third floor by the Up escalator.  It showcases all of the hats from the Spring collection of 1967.  I love how full and colorful this window is!

A Book about Denholms

I have been approached to write a book about the Denholm and McKay company by a well know publishing house.  The very thought of this excites me, as it would be a great way to have a written time-line  about the company that grew to be Worcester's leading Department store.   There is the possibility of co-authoring or writing this book alone. Either way, it would be a great addition to the history of Worcester...

  I want to get this done so it can be sold in the early fall.  I am asking for anyone who has any information or memories to write me at denholms1@yahoo.com.  I do have a lot of history presently on the company, and more will be done to round out this book.  Did you work for Denholms?  Did you shop there?  Tell me your stories!!!

The Post Cards of Denholms

 

Back before the days of email blasts and tweets,  the main form of communication was the post card .  These were,( and still are) used for promotional distribution but rarely for personal use.  Stores like Denholms would sometimes sell post cards for customers to send back home, letting others know of their travels to Worcester Massachusetts.  Of all of the things available via eBay and antique shops, the post card is the most commonly found.  The one below of the clown is the face side, and the message is an advertisement of what the Denholm and McKay Co. offered at the turn of the century.

 

Denholms in 1916

                                                                                     Denholms in 1965

The Fashion Shows at Denholms

Fashion shows have always been an integral part of the retail industry.  My grandmother executed  many of them with her years at Denholms.  Some were hosted in store while others were hosted at various charity and local establishments.  Back then a fashion show was a great way to showcase the new arrivals for that given season.  Today you dont see as many in store shows as in previous years....mostly due to the rising costs of models and staging.  Some of the productions were low cost "informal modeling" which a model would walk about the store and educate the customers on a new trend, color or designer.  Some of them were on a larger scale and held on the third floor in the dress boutique.  Here are some images from the 60's and 70's.  The fashions are dated, but lovely at the same time.

 

bridal show from March 1967

Evening show October 1967

 

Top September 1967

Bottom October 1968

 

May 1963 ( my mother on the right)

My Grandmother commentating during a show

October 1968

Searching For Denholms

I am reaching out to all of you for any imagery that you might have of Denholms.  I am looking for both exterior and interior shots.  As well, I am wondering if anyone knows of any surviving store memorabilia that might still be floating around?  I.E, signage, photographs, fixtures, mannequins...

Please contact me at denholms1@yahoo.com if you know of anything that you would like to sell, or the whereabouts of anything related to Denholms.

Thank you!

My Christmas card to all of you

                                                                     

  Here are a few Photo's that were taken in December of 1960.

I got these images when I was working in the Denholm building earlier this year by a very kind woman named Becky.  Her father in law had taken them, and they were originally in slide format.  These are the only color images that I have of the tree of lights.  It was so beautiful...it  reminds me of the exterior of Macy's New York with their light tree on the facade.  I hope you enjoy my card to all of you!  Thank you for all of your kind words and memories over the past year.  It is greatly appreciated.

Denholms Holiday 2010

I spent a few days at the Denholm Building this week installing some seasonal trim into the retrospective windows.  We went with a "winter" them as it can stay up a bit longer.  It was great to be able to work in that space again, and give it a mini face-lift. When I stood back and looked at the building, I was so pleased that it was starting to have life again breathed into the exterior, and I could only imagine what it was like during it's heyday with the large lighted tree and festive window displays.

The Holidays are here!

 

Here is a toy window from 1953 showcasing the various dolls available in the Toy department (which at that time was in the lower level).  The facade of the building and iconic Christmas tree make up the propping for this holiday display.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Here is my latest Ebay win.  An original Housewares mailer from Denholms.  My grandmother had the set of the green pots and pans which the salesgirls gave her.I remember Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners made with these...

The higher the hair...

 

Summer was Great, But did your hair take a toll?  A great window showcasing the former Beauty Salon that used to be on the sixth floor.  I love this mannequin, and her wig.

Denholms in The Department Store Museum!

Here is a link to a wonderful blog that was started to highlight the various department stores that existed in the United States.  It's a great way to "tour the stores" as they were, and view the various imagery consisting of old shopping bags and store photo's.
  Enjoy!

http://departmentstoremuseum.blogspot.com/2010/09/denholm-and-mckay-co-worcester.html

100th anniversary bag

Here is a picture of a Denholms bag that was sent to me by LB Worm.  It shows the various locations and facades of the building.  I cannot thank you enough, I love it!

Denholms Auburn

Here is an archival photo of Denholms only branch store in Auburn Ma.  The store opened in the spring of 1973 in the space that now houses Macy's Home collection.  The total square feet was 175,000. First floor was primarily Men's and Women's sportswear,Children's, millinery, jewelry and cosmetics. Second floor was comprised of  Home and electronics .  This store stayed open just a few months after the downtown Worcester store closed in 1973.

Richard Healy Building

I dont have many photographs showing the left side of the building, but here is one again showing the Richard Healy building abuting Denholms. Richard Healy was a high end store( founded as a furrier) which carried expensive womens wear and accessories as well as it's fur selection.. To the left of that was Wallgreens pharmacy.  Denholms purchased the heally building in 1970 and had plans on expanding into that space.

Denholms Directory

When the Denholm building was being renovated in 1985 (into offices). I was able to go in and take whatever memorabilia I wanted.  There was not too much there, as the building had been stripped in preparation for the massive remodel that was taking place.  I was able to get the old directory from the third floor bank of elevators.  Below is how the store was layed out and the various departments within it.

Post Office unveiling at the Denholm Building

On Tuesday July6th there was an official "Unveiling" of the new window display at the Denholm building.  I cannot even teel you how great it was.  My mother attended as well as Pat and Heidi Wolf.  The two are Mr Harry Wolfs ( the former president of Denholms) daughters.  Even though it was 100 degrees that day, the heat didn't even matter...I was with a wonderful group of people.  Each of us here were awarded a framed collection of stamps which are being featured in the window, as well as a retro photo of Denholms.

Shown from left to right are , Troy Siebels of the Hanover Theater, Assistant City Manager Julie Jacobson, Worcester Postmaster Dan O'Neil, Creative Designer Christopher Sawyer, Congressman Jim McGovern, Worcester Community Action Council Executive Director Jill Dagilis, and Greater Boston District Grow Global  and Team Member Dawn Doucet 

Photos by Paul Bresnahan  Worcester MA

Denholm building Post Office window

The empty window before

I spent the early part of this week working at the Denholm building.  As an ongoing effort to bring back the dignity to this building. 6 of the 10 window spaces have been updated (4 more to go).  This trip was to install a window in the vacant space housed by the US Post Office.  Working with Jill Dagilis (amazing woman) and the US Post office (thanks Joanne).  We collaborated on a design I did, and then got the materials and lighting to re vamp the empty window space.  The display consists of 8 stamp designs chosen by the Post Office and an envelope sculpture (500 total), all amidst a blue sky backdrop.  An official "unveiling" will be taking place on Tuesday of this week.

The present space during the 1950's

The completed window

Downtown Main Street

Here is a view of what Downtown Worcester used to look like during the mid 60's.   You see Denholms, and Kresge's, as well as the various that buildings that stood before the present day Glass high rise.

Another Denholms shopping bag!

Denholms 1958 spring windows

  Presently, this is my personal screen saver at home.  I love the mannequin on the left with her clam shell hat, low chignon, and animated pose.  Pure 1950's fashion!  I also love the animal on the left announcing fur storage for the summer.

Shopping bag graphic

Here is a graphic from a shopping bag that was used for the woman's third floor. Primarily for the better dress department and Salisbury shop.  Does anyone remember this bag?  I have 2 of them in my possession.