Name: Filene's
Brand: Michael J. Lisicky
SKU: 9780738591582
Price: 17.49 USD
Availability: InStock

Filene's

9780738591582

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See how brothers Edward and Lincoln Filene brought fashion and entertainment to generations of Bostonians.

It was regarded as the ""World's Largest Specialty Store."" William Filene's Sons Company was founded in 1870 and brothers Edward and Lincoln Filene were revolutionaries who championed employee relations and innovative merchandising. In 1909, Edward organized and opened Filene's famous Automatic Bargain Basement, while Lincoln helped found the Federated Department Stores Company in March 1929. Filene's was a pioneer in branch-store development.

In its heyday, the store hosted appearances by fashion designers, such as Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, and Pauline Trigère, in addition to celebrities, like Zsa Zsa Gabor, Gloria Swanson, and Gene Autry. A victim of retail consolidation, the flagship downtown Boston store closed its doors in 2006. Its building, designed by the internationally renowned architect Daniel Burnham, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012 and anxiously awaits its redevelopment. Now, you can see some of these historic photographs that come directly from the Filene Marketing Archives at the Boston Public Library.

Middlebury

9781467105170

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Middlebury, Vermont, is the seat of agricultural Addison County. When Gamaliel Painter, a pioneer from Connecticut, noticed the potential in the falls of Otter Creek in the mid-18th century, he and his friends began to harness the waterpower for industry. Stone mill buildings were erected and were later influential in the architecture of Middlebury College, one of the first colleges in Vermont and the country. The first marble industry in Vermont began in Middlebury and exported tons annually. By the mid-19th century, Italian stonecutters were provided with a more efficient way to export their product via the railroad, but economic emphasis eventually shifted to agriculture and animal husbandry. However, two local farm boys, Henry Sheldon and Clinton Smith, distinguished themselves and created a lasting legacy in Middlebury. Sheldon, who was a musician and curator, founded today's Sheldon Museum. Smith was a builder and architect, and his mill below the falls produced the building materials for Middlebury's town hall, a courthouse, and the Methodist church.

Historic Houses of the Connecticut River Valley

9781467108331

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New England's Connecticut River meanders 410 miles south from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound. After thousands of years of peaceful habitation by Indigenous people came 400 years of development around European settlements, farmsteads, shipping ports, and manufacturing mills. Farmers, boatbuilders, quarrymen, and industrialists benefitted from the river valley's fertile plains, geological resources, and waterpower. Ready access to markets at Boston, New York, the West Indies, and Europe fueled the growth of the valley's towns and major cities such as Hartford and Springfield. The valley has been home to consequential social reformers, authors, and intellectuals. Its bucolic settings attracted artists who came to the renowned colonies at Cornish and Lyme, steamboat tourists, and urban transplants with modern lifestyles. The most important houses they built, many of which are designated national historic landmarks and open to the public, and some newly discovered properties are highlighted here for their architectural significance and rich historical associations.

Historic Houses of the Connecticut River Valley

Wallingford's Historic Legacy

9781467104944

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In 1669, thirty-eight freemen of the New Haven Colony signed a covenant to form a new plantation amongst the rolling hills and valleys east of the Quinnipiac River. With the official incorporation established the following year, Wallingford grew from a 17th-century colonial farming village into a thriving and diverse community. It was witness to the Revolutionary War and a pioneer in the Industrial Revolution, and it produced leaders in religion, arts, and politics. Robert Wallace and Samuel Simpson, who introduced silver manufacturing, and Moses Y. Beach, founder of the Associated Press, called Wallingford home. Their philanthropy helped expand schools, churches, and public services. Although the original footprint of the colonists has changed over the centuries, a stroll through the town reveals its richly preserved history. Impressive architectural styles line the streets, from 17th-century saltbox homes to Beaux-Arts mansions and Gothic Revival churches. Center Street Cemetery holds the final resting place of Wallingford's early settlers, and many of their names have left an indelible legacy.

Belfast

9781467104531

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Halfway up the coast of Maine, on the northwest shore of Penobscot Bay, lies the city of Belfast. The Penobscot people once hunted its forests and speared sturgeon in the Passagassawakeag River. In 1770, envisioning a prosperous town, like-minded Scots-Irish farmers settled here. During the 19th century, hardworking men and women established Belfast as a major seaport and shipbuilding center, thanks to its abundant resources and accessible harbor. As the maritime economy faded, enterprising citizens invested in manufacturing as the city's chief employer. Belfast takes the reader back to the early settlement, through the bustling shipbuilding heyday and gritty industrial decades, up to the city's centennial celebration in 1953. Join us as we sail a tall ship, stitch boots inside the noisy shoe factory, and eat chicken barbecue on the shores of the bay.

Stonington

9781467105279

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When Stonington's four founding fathers first laid eyes on the bucolic shoreline inhabited by the Pequot tribe, it was impossible for them to predict that the future state of Connecticut would produce nearly four centuries of American history. What became their sleepy coastal borough flourished from a "stony town" into what is now known as Stonington. Fishermen, whalers, and sealers would lead a boom in the 1800s, shaping a lifestyle that still persists as a testament to the area's heritage. Stonington survived major wars, an economic depression, and catastrophic hurricanes to thrive as an intimate yet welcoming community that harbored major motion pictures such as Mystic Pizza, Amistad, and Hope Springs. The town became a haven for Pulitzer Prize poet James Merrill and sustained a 1990s tourism revitalization that transformed it into one of New England's most precious hidden gems. Today, delectable seafood restaurants, charming shops, an abundantly rich historical heritage, and a picturesque seaside ambience put Stonington and its history at the quintessential forefront of every excursion to southeastern Connecticut.

Middletown's High Street and Wesleyan University

9781467105460

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High Street and Wesleyan University (founded in 1831) share a fascinating, intertwined history. From this major inland port on the Connecticut River, Middletown's sea captains and merchants made fortunes in the 18th and early 19th centuries trading with the West Indies, South America, and China. Others enjoyed wealth amassed from the local manufacture of swords, firearms, and marine hardware. These prominent families built fashionable villas of the latest architectural designs on High Street. Many of their homes remain, and two have been designated national historic landmarks. With spectacular views of the river valley below, its avenue of arching elms, and the addition of Wesleyan's formidable "Brownstone Row," the street has attracted many to the hill. Dignitaries, including George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, William Howard Taft, and Martin Luther King Jr., came to High Street.

Middletown's High Street and Wesleyan University

Stafford

9781467103695

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Stafford, nestled in the hills of Northeastern Connecticut, was settled in 1719. Originally an agrarian community, the town has a diverse history. The discovery of iron ore led to a thriving iron industry that produced various items, including cannons and shot for the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The mineral springs, long known to the Native Americans, became a destination location, attracting visitors such as John Adams, future president of the United States. Stafford hosted one of the earliest agricultural fairs in the state, which ran until 1969. The biggest influence on the town was the introduction of the textile industry in the early 19th century. As immigrants of many ethnicities came to town to work, Stafford experienced unprecedented growth and the population diversified. Stafford's mills became major contributors to the country's textile industry, particularly wool manufacturing.

Cumberland

9781467106313

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Take a journey back in time through the charming scenes of small-town life in the vibrant community of Cumberland.

The town of Cumberland seceded from North Yarmouth in 1821, one year after Maine's secession from Massachusetts. Farming, fishing, shipbuilding, and the carrying trade formed the foundation of the local economy, and Cumberland's population increased during the period leading up to the Civil War. The industries sustaining coastal Maine underwent dramatic changes during the second half of the 19th century. New opportunities were sought by the community, with chickens and carnations being two of the novel agricultural products that helped the town survive a 35 percent decline in population between 1860 and 1920. Cumberland's proximity to the state's largest city created prospects for residents in shipbuilding and other industries in Greater Portland during World War II, and the postwar years saw a gradual transformation of the town into a bedroom community. Today, Cumberland has a school system known for excellence and attracts residents to a rural landscape in close proximity to the amenities and opportunities of the city. The Cumberland Historical Society (CHS) was founded in 1939 by a group of citizens interested in preserving the history of the town. Carolyn Small, CHS curator and former president, worked for 35 years in the local school system. Thomas C. Bennett is the director of Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland and has a graduate degree in American and New England Studies from the University of Southern Maine.

Worcester State Hospital

9781467106047

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The Worcester State Hospital offered a novel and compelling promise: that insanity could be cured by humane treatment in a therapeutic setting. Patients would enjoy its idyllic landscape, genteel interiors, wholesome food supplied from its farm, and the individualized attention of medical professionals. The hospital's reputation as a "model institution" helped to position the city of Worcester as an economic center and pioneer in social reform. Yet overcrowding, insufficient funds, and the limitations of medical knowledge undermined the institution's mission, leading to the abandonment of its original features. Despite downsizing and decay, the Worcester State Hospital continues to exert a tangible presence on the landscape. Its iconic clock tower, salvaged from demolition, stands as a reminder of its historical legacy and of the continuing role of the site--now the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital--in the treatment of mental illness.

Kennebunk

9781467104753

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In the summer of 1643, John Sanders was granted land bordering the Mousam River in Kennebunk.

From this early grant to the present, many generations have called Kennebunk home.Through nearly two hundred vintage photographs, Kennebunk portrays life in this charming village from 1850 to 1940.From the architecture of its downtown neighborhoods to scenes of the rural countryside, the images in this book provide a window on Kennebunk’s past.They also capture the people who made up the fabric of this community, from early sea captains to hardworking farmers.Among them are immigrant Sam Tvedt, an eccentric preacher who sported shoulder-length hair and a long flowing coat while shouting sermons from beside the town pump, and Colby Jack Coombs, the famous World Series pitcher, shown spending time with his family on their Alewive farm.

Champlain Valley Fair

9781467108508

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Established in 1922, the Champlain Valley Exposition held its first four-day fair at the Essex Junction, Vermont, fairgrounds in 1923. In its early years, the grounds included a racetrack, grandstand capable of holding 4,000 people, racing stables, horse and cattle barns, and commercial and industrial exhibits buildings. A century later, the exposition's signature Champlain Valley Fair has grown to become the largest annual event in Vermont--aptly described as the "Ten Best Days of Summer." Its agricultural and commercial exhibits and vibrant midway complement the grandstand concert series, which features some of the biggest names in entertainment. Modern indoor facilities now make the exposition not only the destination to celebrate Vermont's agricultural heritage but also one of the state's largest year-round venues for concerts, special interest events, trade shows, indoor soccer, and community gatherings.

Westport

9781467104920

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Westport, Connecticut, started as a 17th-century colonial English settlement. Nestled on the shores of Long Island Sound and at the mouth of the Saugatuck River, the area was ideally placed for farming, fishing, and commerce. Westport was formally incorporated as a distinct municipality in 1835 and would evolve into a factory town, a bucolic retreat for both the wealthy and the common man, an enclave for artists and performers, and finally, a bedroom community for New York City. Notable townsfolk have included E.T. Bedford, a Standard Oil executive and philanthropist; inventor Benjamin Toquet; and William Phelps Eno, the "father of traffic safety." F. Scott Fitzgerald penned The Great Gatsby while summering in Westport in 1920. Silent film star W.S. Hart called the town home, as did Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Bette Davis, and many more. Artists George Hand Wright, Robert Lamdin, Tracy Sugarman, and others were part of a vibrant art community that spanned nearly 100 years. The town retains its cultural flair with several institutions, such as the Westport Country Playhouse and Museum of Contemporary Art.

Colchester

9781467105873

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Colchester, Connecticut, incorporated in 1698, was a successful farming community. When wealthy farmer Pierpoint Bacon died in 1800, he left his estate to the town to build a school. Bacon Academy opened in 1803 and not only provided primary education but also included secondary and college preparation branches, making it, in effect, the first high school in the state. In industry, Colchester was the home of the Hayward Rubber Company factory, built in 1847 by Nathaniel Hayward. This factory operated successfully for decades, promoting prosperity and growth in Colchester until it closed without warning at the end of 1893. This resulted in the biggest population and economic crash in the history of Colchester. The inexpensive property still available in town in the early 1900s led to an influx of new people and new businesses, resulting in Colchester's revitalization. To most people in Connecticut today, Colchester is best known for Harry's Place, a popular drive-in restaurant that has been in operation since 1920.

Wilmington

9781467104937

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Tucked against the Deerfield River, Wilmington has long espoused the Vermont traits of rugged self-sufficiency coupled with a strong sense of community. Founded in 1751 by hardy settlers in the Green Mountains, residents held logging bees, barn raisings, and community dinners, with neighbors helping neighbors to construct a town where all could thrive. When new roads connected nearby towns in the early 1800s, Wilmington's residents banded together in 1833 to pick up and move the town to the valley via oxcarts for better economic opportunities afforded by the river and new roads. A variety of social clubs, fairs, and other events filled the community, keeping it close-knit and earning Wilmington a reputation as a place where visitors from the city could escape the hustle and bustle of urban living. That history of community continues today in the vibrant and enduring tradition of Old Home Week, a town-wide reunion held every decade since 1890 where former Wilmington residents the world over return home to celebrate friends, neighbors, community, and fond memories.

South and East Chelmsford

9781467104722

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The village of South Chelmsford evolved around an intersection of market roads with a few stores and a church in support of a quiet farming community. Heart Pond provided water for the Nickles Cranberry Company, ice for the Daniel Gage Ice Company, and now recreational activities for locals and visitors. Entrepreneur Ezekiel Byam exploited new developments to manufacture the first practical matches in America, and the arrival of the railroad in 1873 enabled convenient transport of goods and passengers. A large part of East Chelmsford was quietly purchased by a group of Boston businessmen in the 1820s. Their new venture first roared into the industrial age as a town and then as the city of Lowell. In the 1950s, State Route 3 and Interstate 495 sliced East Chelmsford into four isolated sections, and the story that remains is that of immigrant families, subdivided farmland, and a handful of businesses on the outskirts of a major city.

Cover image for South and East Chelmsford, isbn: 9781467104722

Calais

9781467105231

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From the era of the indigenous Passamaquoddy people to the booming growth that led to its development as a 20th-century commercial hub, the history of Calais is distinctly American. Briefly settled by Europeans in 1604 when a French group that included Samuel de Champlain spent an ill-fated winter fraught with casualties, Calais's first permanent settlers arrived in 1779. As the lumber trade developed, the young city thrived in spite of its remote location. The first industrial railroad in the state was built in Calais in 1832 to fuel its development as the second-busiest port on the Eastern Seaboard, and soon, families like the Murchies and the Becketts were heavily involved in furthering local businesses. Lumber, shipbuilding, and granite quarrying each contributed to Calais's rise--as well as its gradual 20th-century decline as the respective industries collapsed. From a height of nearly 8,000 residents in 1900, Calais's population steadily dwindled to less than 3,000 today.

Cover image for Calais, isbn: 9781467105231

Firefighting in Willimantic

9780738592930

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In 1830, the state legislature called on town leaders to "form a Fire Company to work a fire engine for the protection of buildings" in Willimantic. By 1832, the Willimantic Fire Engine Company had purchased an engine known as the "Deluge" and began a rich tradition of service to the people of Willimantic. Over the years, various fire companies were formed. From hand-drawn to horse-drawn to motorized equipment, and from loosely organized volunteers to highly professional career firefighters, the Willimantic Fire Department has provided citizens with skilled, trained, and compassionate service. Through photographs, memorabilia, and stories--the majority of which were collected by the firefighters themselves--Firefighting in Willimantic recognizes the traditions and accomplishments of this outstanding department.

Westborough

9781467105323

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First settled in 1672, Westborough officially became a town in 1717 after a second petition was sent to the General Court requesting township. Similar to many small New England towns, when Westborough entered the Gilded Age, the character of the town changed forever. Industrialization, innovation, and its idyllic location propelled the town to rank eighth among the top 10 manufacturing cities of Worcester County in 1885. In the late 19th century, Westborough's National Straw Works alone had over 2,000 employees and was recognized as the largest factory in the world for straw hats. Sleighs, bicycles, pianos, boots, and shoe production provided employment for residents and immigrants, and after World War II, Westborough expanded even farther. The interstate highway system grew, putting Westborough at the heart of Massachusetts's highway systems, and new homes were built, creating the residential community that it is today.

Southwick Revisited

9781467106283

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Southwick, a traditionally agricultural and recreational community, was known as the "south part" of Westfield before it was established as a district on November 7, 1770. Its soils have allowed many a farmer to make a living off the land. Connecticut Valley shade tobacco, broadleaf tobacco, and dairy farming have been staples for generations. Water from the Congamond Lakes has powered gristmills, sawmills, and powder mills. Its spring waters assured quality ice to be harvested during the winter and made it a mecca for fishing, boating, and swimming in the summer. The historical photographs in Southwick Revisited depict these and other themes that have been a part of the community's rich heritage.

Leominster Firefighting

9780738572093

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In 1820, a group of Leominster volunteers formed Engine Company No. 1 "in the interests of protecting the rights of the settlers in case of fire." Since then, more than 1,400 individuals have served as firefighters for the citizens of Leominster, each of them leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. Leominster Firefighting features images, memorabilia, and photographs from the early days of the hand tubs and horse-drawn hose carts of the 1800s to the 20th century when motorized apparatus arrived. It provides a glimpse into the many traditions that have been passed from one generation to the next and a look into how fire has changed Leominster.

Cromwell

9781467102704

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Once known worldwide as "Rosetown," Cromwell has enjoyed multiple identities in its nearly 370-year existence. Initially called Upper Houses, the village was a tiny religious and agricultural outpost of the larger Middletown colonial settlement on the Connecticut River. Gradually, substantial maritime activities developed to define the community. However, by the mid-19th century, Cromwell had become an independent rural town with small farms and businesses, its river port no longer of consequence. Later, the famed greenhouses and floral industry provided international recognition. Small manufacturers and quarries also contributed to the economy. By the late 20th century, the village had become a suburban community, its cohesion impacted by the construction of major highways as well as significant commercial and residential development. At each incarnation, the town has pushed out toward its defining geographic boundaries, and the conflict between the old and the new has created changing patterns of social, economic, and political organization.

Greeks of Worcester

9781467108133

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Half a century after declaring its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821, Greece was an impoverished nation-state ruled by a Danish prince. By the end of the 19th century, the people of Greece were emigrating to escape war, political strife, and poverty. Greeks started arriving in Worcester in the 1890s, mainly from the Peloponnesus, with subsequent arrivals coming from Northern Greece in the early 20th century. With the official establishment of a Greek Orthodox community (later named after St. Spyridon) in Worcester in 1914, Greeks built robust religious, civic, fraternal, and philanthropic organizations in the city. They went on to establish themselves as leaders in business, education, law, and politics. Greeks of Worcester celebrates the rich history of this community through images, tracing its history from the patrida to the United States through war, persecution, and economic hardship.