Help the Owensboro Museum of Science & History Preserve Anderson’s Store Memories
Now, I'm not quite old enough to remember shopping at Anderson's Department Store in Downtown Owensboro. However, I've heard stories my entire life about the elevator operator. Tell her what you wanted to shop for, and she'd take you right to it! "Gift Wrap? Second Floor!"
My mom shared memories with me about the glove counter with lots of little drawers full of beautiful gloves. They would take hand measurements to find the perfect fit. She also remembers there being a really nice photographer upstairs where you could have portraits made. Just like J.C. Penney's! Haha!
"Every girl would go there for her wedding registry. Anderson's was the only place anybody went," she told me. She and my dad were married in 1976. I asked her what kinds of things she registered for. "China, silverware, pots & pans, linens. Mainly dishes, though, that was the big thing you had to have," she said. "And I loved going to the gift wrapping counter and watching them gift wrap."
This memory is my favorite because she has always loved to gift wrap ever since. Her presents are BEAUTIFUL with big handmade bows and coordinated paper. She taught me everything I know, and turns out, that skill has served me well.
I wrapped presents at Town Square Mall in high school with the Rose Curtain Players as a fundraiser. Then, when I was in college, I worked in the customer service department at Dillard's. After that, I may have wrapped more Chinese takeout boxes than New China at the cutest little shop in town, Studio Slant, where we offered free gift wrap and delivery.
Now, I get to put my tape-dispenser talents to good use again this Christmas when the Owensboro Museum of Science & History presents Voices of Anderson's. Similar to their annual Voices of Elmwood production in the fall, this experience will be a unique way to learn about local history. Especially considering the museum is located in the former Anderson's building.
Actors will portray characters from Anderson's while performing monologues, sharing fun facts and memories about the former department store. For instance, I'll be transforming into the "Gift Wrap Gal" to give you a serious dose of nostalgia/wrapping tutorial rolled into one. More info on that to come.
The amazing crew at the Owensboro Museum of Science & History is also putting together an exhibit called "Anderson's: Owensboro's Department Store." They are inviting you to share your memories with the community. Whether you shopped there, know someone who worked there, or maybe you still have an Anderson's gift box or special purchase squirreled away. Here's what they are looking for:
“We are calling on our community to look in their homes–attics, closets, and garages– in search of items from the S.W. Anderson’s Department Store for display in our upcoming exhibit,” said Executive Director Isaac G. Settle. “These items would be on loan to the museum for the duration of the exhibit, or could be donated to our permanent collection if so desired.”
“We are interested in items that were purchased at Anderson’s Department Store over its history. China, kitchenwares, clothing, jewelry—we’re interested in it all,” said Settle. “If we are able to highlight merchandise and memories from all three floors, that would be fantastic.”
Settle added, “We also want to keep Anderson’s history alive by collecting the community’s memories of the store—whether you were a shopper, an employee, or simply have a story to share. We want to honor the full Anderson’s experience, the people who worked and shopped here, and the legacy of S.W. Anderson’s in our community.”
The Owensboro Landmark Hall of Fame
Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer
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