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Gilmore Brothers Department Store Publications

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-1729

Scope and Contents

This collection contains four issues of The Town Crier from 1929 and 1930. This was a daily publication for the employees of the Gilmore Brothers Department Store which operated in Kalamazoo from 1881 to 1999.

Dates

  • Publication: 1929-1930

Creator

Biographical / Historical

This publication was printed daily for the employees of the Gilmore Brothers Department Store. Its purpose was to relay information about upcoming sales, give customer service tips, and share good news about the employee’s professional and personal lives.

On August 20, 1881, Irish immigrant John M. Gilmore opened a dry goods store on Burdick Street. When his brother James joined him in 1883, it became Gilmore Brothers Department Store. Over the years John married Mary Downey and had three daughters and one son, and James married Carrie Sherwood and had three sons, all who helped with the business when they were older.

John died in 1895 at the age of 43 and James died in 1908 at the age of 51. James’ widow Carrie expanded the business, which changed with the times as needed until closing in 1999. The Kalamazoo City Centre is now located where Gilmore’s was and until December of 2018 included Irving’s Market which was named after one of James’ sons.

Extent

.10 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased with the Starring Endowment.

Physical Description

This collection amounts to .10 cubic feet. It contains four issues of The Town Crier printed on thin, light brown paper. Three pages are legal sized and 1 is half-legal size. Text appears on one side. The back side has ink from the previous copy, but it does not bleed through to the front. There are minor tears and folds on the edges of three issues. One issue has a large tear and cracks where it was previously folded, and has the name Kromdyke written in the top left-hand corner. This issue has been encapsulated to prevent further damage. The pages are in overall good condition with no stains.

Title
Gilmore Brothers Department Store Publications finding aid
Status
Completed
Author
Stephanie Chapman
Date
2022-11-23
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490