Montgomery Ward and Company collection of
visual materials
Descriptive
Inventory for the Collection at Chicago History Museum, Research Center
By Caroline Waddell, 2001.
©
Copyright 2004 by Chicago Historical Society, Clark Street at North Avenue,
Chicago, IL. 60614
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Montgomery Ward and Company collection of
visual materials
Main entry: Montgomery Ward
Dates: ca. 1872-2000
Size:
Call#: 2001.0163 PPL
ca.
5500 photographic prints : b&w ; 11 x 14 in. and
smaller. (in series 1)
24
photomechanical prints : col ; 11 x 14 in. and
smaller. (in series 1)
Call#: 2001.0163
PCP-0191-0195
ca.
450 photographic prints : col. ; 11 x 14 in. and
smaller. (in series 2)
Call#: 2001.0163 PFL
6
photomechanical prints : col ; 36 x 24 in. and
smaller. (in series 3)
Call#: 2001.0163
PPN-0364-0372
ca.
3600 negatives : b&w ; 11 x 14 in. and smaller. (in series 4)
Call#: 2001.0163
PCT-0211-0212
ca.
750 transparencies : col. ; 8 x 10 in. and smaller. (in series 5)
Call#: 2001.0163 PCN-0030
ca.
200 negatives : col. ; 8 x 10 in. and smaller. (in series 6)
Call#: 2001.0163 F
37 moving picture films. (in series 7)
Call#: 2001.0163 V
23 videocassettes. (in series 7)
Accession number: 2001.0163.2
Restriction: Advance appointment required to view color
material in cold storage or negatives in cool storage; please email
research@chicagohistory.org.
Restriction: Permission of the conservator is required
before viewing fragile materials in box 25.
Restriction: In order to view original negatives,
moving picture film, or videocassettes, a research copy must be made.
Description of the collection:
Photographs primarily of Montgomery Ward’s retail stores and
catalog houses, including interior and exterior views as well as opening
ceremonies and other significant events. Items generally are organized by store
location, but some are organized by event. Also present are many formal
portrait photographs and candid photographs of Montgomery Ward’s executives and
employees; photographs and other printed visual material related to merchandise
sold by the company and advertising; and moving picture films, videos, and a
few audio tapes related to the company’s management
during the 1980s and 1990s.
Brief history:
Montgomery
Ward and Company, a Chicago-based retailer, was the nation’s first mail-order
catalog house. Montgomery Ward’s was founded in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward
(1844-1913) at the corner of Clark Street and Kinzie Street in Chicago,
Illinois. Ward, who had previously worked as a retail clerk and dry goods salesman,
aimed his marketing at rural customers when he conceived of a mail-order retail
operation that would advertise its wares through catalogs. Though rural
customers were initially leery of buying products sight unseen, the low prices
Ward’s made available to its customers soon assured the company’s success.
Ward's passed on to customers the savings it achieved by buying direct from
manufacturers.
In
1926 Montgomery Ward and Company opened its first retail store in Plymouth,
Indiana. By mid-century, Ward’s had opened hundreds of retail stores throughout
the U.S. The retailer closed its doors in December 2000.
Storage designation:
The
collection is arranged and stored in eight series:
Series 1.
Call#: 2001.0163 PPL (33 boxes: 11 x 14 in. and smaller):
ca.
5500 photographic prints: b&w; 11 x 14 in. and smaller
24
photomechanical prints : col ; 11 x 14 in. and smaller
Series 2.
Call#: 2001.0163 PCP-0191-0195 (5 boxes: 11 x 14 in. and smaller):
ca.
450 photographic prints: col.; 11 x 14 in. and smaller
Series 3.
Call#: 2001.0163 PFL (6 folders: 32 x 40 in. and smaller):
6
photomechanical prints: col; 36 x 24 in. and smaller
Series 4.
Call#: 2001.0163 PPN-0364-0372 (9 boxes: 11 x 15 in. and smaller):
ca.
3600 negatives: b&w.; 11 x 14 in. and smaller
Series 5.
Call#: 2001.0163 PCT-0211-0212 (2 boxes: 11 x 15 in. and smaller):
ca.
750 transparencies: col.; 8 x 10 in. and smaller
Series 6.
Call#: 2001.0163 PCN-0030 (1 box: 11 x 15 in.):
ca.
200 negatives: col.; 8 x 10 in. and smaller
Series 7.
Call#: 2001.0163 F (2 boxes: 16 x 13 x 11 and unboxed films):
37
moving picture films: various formats
Series 8.
Call#: 2001.0163 V CS.0MM.D1.S1-D2.S1 (4 boxes: 12 x 8 x 6 in.):
23 videocassettes.
Description of some related materials:
Related
materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Montgomery
Ward and Company collection records, a small collection of the Montgomery Ward
catalog photographs, 1963 (1992.0469), and many Ward's catalogs and other
publications.
Provenance statement:
Gift of Montgomery Ward (2001.0163.2).
List of online catalog entries:
The
following headings for this collection were made in the online catalog:
Main
entry: Montgomery Ward
Subjects:
Montgomery
Ward
Montgomery Ward--Anniversaries.
Montgomery Ward--Employees.
Celebrations.
Celebrations--Illinois--Chicago.
Clothing & dress.
Businesspeople
618
West Chicago Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)
Department
stores
Department stores--Illinois--Chicago.
Mail-order business--United States.
Warehouses
Warehouses--Illinois--Chicago.
Form/genre
headings:
Advertisements.
Portrait photographs.
Photographic
prints.
Photographic
prints--Color.
Photomechanical
prints--Color.
Videocassettes.
Film transparencies--Color.
Film
negatives.
Film
negatives--Color.
Silver
gelatin prints.
Motion
pictures (visual works).
Processing note:
This
collection was processed in 2001 by Caroline Waddell.
Container List of box and folder titles and
numbers:
Call#: 2001.0163 PPL (33 boxes: 11 x 14 in.
and smaller):
Series 1.
Black & white photoprints: 11 x 14 in. and smaller
Box 1
Catalog houses and distribution centers
Folders:
1
California--Oakland, ca. 1924 (see also: Series 1, Box 3, Folder
6)
2
California--Oakland, ca. 1923-1924
3
California--Oakland, ca. 1960s grand re-opening
4
Colorado--Denver, ca. 1922 (see also: Series 1, Box 3, Folders 6 and 8)
5
Colorado--Denver, ca. 1942-1945, flood pictures, detail of store interior and exterior
6
Illinois--Chicago, exterior (see also: Series 1 Box 3, Folders 6 and 9)
7
Illinois--Chicago, entry department, mailroom, interior, aerial views from roof
8
Maryland--Baltimore, (see also: Series 1 Box 3, Folders 6 and 10)
9
Maryland--Baltimore, ca. 1936, employees
10
Maryland--Baltimore, exterior with landscaping
11
Maryland--Baltimore, parking lot
12
Maryland--Baltimore, old catalog house and new distribution center with captions
13
Maryland--Baltimore, scratched floor
14
Maryland--Baltimore, Rehabilitation photographs, ca. November 1963
Box 2
Catalog houses and distribution centers
1
Minnesota--St. Paul, construction of original building (see also: Series 1, Box
3, Folder 6)
2
Minnesota--St. Paul, ca. June 1956 grand reopening
3
Missouri--Kansas City, ca. 1905, ca. 1926 (see also: Series 1 Box 3, Folder 6)
4
Missouri--Kansas City
5
Missouri--Kansas City, ca. 1959 grand opening of addition
6
Missouri--Kansas City, ca. 1959 Family Day tour and interior warehouse
7
Missouri--Kansas City, Spira-Park parking garage
8 New
York--Albany, conveyor belt, buyers (see also Box 3, Folders 6 and 11)
9 New
York--Albany, ca. 1928
10
Oregon--Portland, (see also Series 1, Box 3, Folder 6 and Series 1, Box 17, Folder
9)
Box 3
Catalog houses and distribution centers
1
Texas--Fort Worth, ca. 1920, 1924, 1928, 1940, 1941 (see also: Series 1, Box 15,
Folder 1 and Series 1, Box 17, Folder 11)
2
Texas--Fort Worth, ca. 1948
3
Texas--Fort Worth, ca. 1949, flood
4
Texas--Fort Worth, ca. 1957, 1961, 1963
5
Texas--Fort Worth, ca. 1928 sites surrounding store
6
California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon,
Texas
7
unidentified location, mail center, ca. 1908
8
Colorado--Denver, ca. 1929 (see also: Series 1, Box 1, Folders 4 and 5)
9
Illinois--Chicago, ca. 1964, 1985, 1980s remodeling (see also: Series 1, Box 1,
Folders 6 and 7)
10
Maryland--Baltimore, ca. construction of building, Montgomery Ward’s Golden Anniversary
(see also: Series 1, Box 1, Folder 8)
11
New York--Albany ca. 1929 (see also: Series 1, Box 2, Folder
8)
12
New York--New York City buying house
13
Texas--Fort Worth, ca. 1928, 1949
Box 4
Department stores
1
Alabama--Birmingham
2
Alabama--Dothan, ca. 1951
3
Alabama--Huntsville
4
Alaska--Anchorage
5
Alaska--Juneau
6
Arizona--Phoenix (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder
1)
7
Arizona--Tucson
8
Arkansas--Helena, Harrison, ca. 1951
9
California--Bakersfield, Chico (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folders 2 and 4)
10
California--Covina, ca. 1965
11
California--Dale City, El Cajon, Escondido, Eureka and Fremont
12
California--Huntington Beach
13
California--Los Angeles, ca. 1966
14
California--Lynwood, National City
15
California--Norwalk, Pleasant Hill
16
California--Richmond
17
California--Riverside
18
California--Sacramento, ca. 1936-1970s (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder 6)
19
California--San Bernadino, ca. 1934, 1972 (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder 4)
Box 5
Department stores
1
California--San Diego
2
California--San Leandro exterior and grand opening
3
California--San Leandro includes photographs from a public relations manual for
store opening
4
California--San Leandro exterior views
5
California--Santa Ana, ca. 1960, San Mateo
6
California--San Rafael ca. 1958-1959, Ventura ca. 1966 (see also: Series 1, Box
16 Folders 4 and 5)
7
California--unidentified
8
Connecticut--Middletown, ca. 1950, New London, ca. 1939, 1951, and Putnam, ca. 1951
9
Colorado--Alamosa, Boulder
10
Colorado--Denver Lakeside
11
Colorado--Denver Lakeside
12
Colorado--Denver Lakeside
13
Colorado--Denver Lakeside
14
Colorado--Denver Villa Italia
15
Colorado--Grand Junction (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder 6), Greeley, La Junta,
Pueblo and Trinidad
Box 6
Department stores
1
Florida--Clearwater, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Melbourne and Ocala
2
Florida--St. Petersburg
3
Florida--Tampa
4
Georgia--Augusta, ca. 1981, Savannah
5
Illinois--Aurora ca. 1951, Belleville, and Chicago Heights
6
Illinois--Danville ca. 1951, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Dixon (see also: Series 1, Box
16, Folder 9), Elmhurst & Evergreen Park
7
Illinois--Franklin Park
8
Illinois--LaGrange c.1956, Lincoln ca. 1951, Lombard and Macomb, ca. 1951
9
Illinois--Moline and Mount Prospect
10
Illinois--Niles, Normal, Oak Park, Ottawa (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder 9),
Paris, Peoria, Quincy, Rock Island & Schaumburg
11
Illinois--Skokie (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder
13)
12
Illinois--Taylorville and Woodstock
Box 7
Department stores
1
Indiana--Columbia City, Columbus, Evansville and Frankfort
2
Indiana--Fort Wayne, ca. 1958
3
Indiana--Gary
4
Indiana--Gary
5
Indiana--Goshen and Greencastle
6
Indiana--Hartford, Logansport and Michigan City
7
Indiana--Plymouth, ca. 1926
8
Indiana--Vincennes
9 Indiana--Wheaton
10
Iowa--Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Chariton, Creston, Davenport, Delwein, Denison
and Des Moines
11
Iowa--Keokuk, Marshalltown, Mason City and Muscatine
12
Iowa--Oskaloosa, ca. 1951
13
Iowa--Perry, Sheldon, Sioux City, Storm Lake, Washington, Waterloo, and Webster
City
14
Kansas--Chanute (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder 16), Concordia (see also: Series
1, Box 16, Folder 16), Eldorado, Fort Scott (see also, Series 1, Box 16, Folder
16) and Hopkinsville
15
Kansas--Hutchinson
16
Kansas--Independence, ca. 1951
17
Kansas--Kansas City, ca. 1938, 1951
18
Kansas--Larned, ca. 1951
Box 8
Department stores
1
Kansas--Lexington
2
Kansas--Marysville
3
Kansas--Middlesboro, Parsons (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder 16), Topeka
4
Kentucky--Lexington and Maysville
5
Louisiana--Baton Rouge
6
Louisiana--Monroe, ca. 1967
7
Maine--Waterville, ca. 1936
8
Maryland--Baltimore (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder
20)
9
Maryland--Baltimore
10
Maryland--Cumberland and District Heights
11
Maryland--Glen Burnie (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder
17)
12
Maryland--Glen Burnie
13
Maryland--Wheaton (see also: Series 1, Box 16, Folder
19)
Box 9
Department stores
1
Michigan--Alperia, ca. 1951
2
Michigan--Allen Park
3
Michigan--Allen Park
4
Michigan--Alma
5
Michigan--Ann Arbor
6
Michigan--Cadillac and Coldwater, ca. 1951
7
Michigan--Detroit (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder
1)
8
Michigan--Detroit
9
Michigan--Detroit
10
Michigan--Escanaba, Flint, and Kalamazoo
Box
10 Department stores
1
Michigan--Livonia
2
Michigan--Livonia
3
Michigan--Livonia
4
Michigan--Menominee, c.1951, Mt. Clemens and Muskegon, ca. 1934
5
Michigan--Pontiac
6
Michigan--Saint Joseph, Sturgis and Warren
7
Minnesota--Fairmont, Faribault (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 2), Hibbing,
Newulm, Redwood Falls, Saint Paul (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 3)
Box
11 Department stores
1
Missouri--Cameron, Cape Girardeau, ca. 1934, 1951, Chillicothe, ca. 1951, and Jefferson
City
2
Missouri--Kansas City and Blue Ridge
3
Missouri--Kansas City and Blue Ridge
4
Missouri--Kansas City and Ward Parkway
5
Missouri--Lexington, Mexico (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 4), Moberly, Nevada,
Trenton and Sedalia
6
Montana--Glendive, Kalispell, Missoula (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 5) and
Kirksville
7
North Carolina--Durham, Kannapolis, Kinston, New Bern and Salisbury
8
Nebraska--Alliance, Beatrice, Columbus, Fairbury, Fremont, and Hastings
9
Nebraska--Lincoln
10
Nebraska--Lincoln
11
Nebraska--Nebraska City and Norfolk
12
Nebraska--Omaha
13
Nebraska--Scottsbluff
Box
12 Department stores
1 New
Hampshire--Claremont, Dover and Portsmouth, ca. 1951
2 New
Jersey--Eatontown
3 New
Jersey--Menlo Park
4 New
Jersey--Trenton ca. 1938
5 New
York--White Plains
6 New
York--Binghamton (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 7), Dansville, Fulton and
Geneva
7 New
York--Herkimer
8 New
York--Jamaica
9 New
York--Johnson City
10
New York--Malone, Middletown, New York City, Olean, Rockville Center, and Staten
Island
Box
13 Department stores
1
Nevada--Raton and San Jose East
2
Nevada--Las Vegas
3
North Dakota--Bismarck and Dickinson
3
North Dakota--Minot
4
Ohio--Akron
5
Ohio--Bellefontaine and Canton
6
Ohio--Cincinnati
7
Ohio--Columbus
8
Ohio--Cuyahoga Falls
9
Ohio--Dover
10
Ohio--East Liverpool, Fremont, Mansfield and Marion
11
Ohio--Middletown
12
Ohio--Mount Vernon and Niles
13
Ohio--Portsmouth
14
Ohio--Portsmouth
15
Ohio--Sidney, Troy, Van Wert, Warren, Youngstown and Xenia
Box
14 Department stores
1
Oklahoma--Ada, Bartlesville, Claremore, Coshocton, Durant (see also: Series 1, Box
17, Folder 8), Enid, Elk City (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 8) and McAlester
(see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 8)
2
Oklahoma--Oklahoma City
3
Oklahoma--Okmulgee, Ponca City (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder
8)
4
Oregon--Eugene, Medford (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 9) and unidentified
location
5
Pennsylvania--Beaver Falls, Berwick, Bridgeville, Germantown and Kittanning
6
Pennsylvania--New Kensington (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder
10)
7
Pennsylvania--Reading
8
Pennsylvania--Sharon
9
Pennsylvania--Uniontown
10
South Dakota--Aberdeen, Deadwood, Madison, Huron and Rapid City
11
Tennessee--Clarksville and Elizabethton
12
Texas--Amarillo, Brownwood, Corpus Christi, Lubbock (see also: Series 1, Box 17,
Folder 12), Pasadena, Ranger, San Angelo, Sherman and Waco
13
Texas--Abilene
14
Texas--Big Springs
15
Texas--Dallas and Big Town
16
Texas--Dallas and Big Town
17
Texas--Dallas and Prestonwood
18
Texas--Dallas, Wynnewood, Christown and Standard Chemical
Box
15 Department stores
1
Texas--Fort Worth, Wards Plaza (see also: Series 1, Box 3, Folders 1-5 and Box 17,
Folder 11)
2
Texas--Houston
3
Texas--San Antonio
4
Texas--Tyler (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 14)
5
Vermont--Barre, Brattleboro and Newport (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder 15)
6
Virginia--Covington, Martinsville, Roanoke, Springfield and Hampton
7
Virginia--Falls Church
8
Virginia--Fredericksburg
9
Washington--Spokane (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder
16)
10
Wisconsin--Appleton, Madison, Menomoniee and Portage (see also: Series 1, Box
17, Folder
20), Rice Lake and Two Rivers
11
Wisconsin--Eau Claire (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder
11)
12
Wisconsin--La Crosse
13
Wisconsin--Platteville (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder
19)
14
Wisconsin--Sheboygan (see also: Series 1, Box 17, Folder
21)
15
Wisconsin--Wisconsin Rapids
16
West Virginia--Huntington and Morgantown
17
Wyoming--Sheridan
Box
16 Department stores
1
Arizona--Phoenix (see also: Series 1, Box 4, Folder 6)
2
California--Chico (see also: Series 1, Box 4, Folder
9)
3
California--Rosemead
4
California--Auburn, Burlingame, Chico (see also: Series 1, Box 4, Folder 9), Fresno,
Madera, Marysville, Merced, Modesto, Monterrey, Napa, Oakland, Oroville, Pittsburgh,
Porterville, Red Bluff, Redding, Redwood City, Salinas, San Bernadino (see
also: Series 1, Box 4, Folder 19), San Luis Obispo, San Jose, Santa Barbara,
Santa Rosa, Stockton, Tulare, Ukiah, Ventura (see also: Series 1, Box 5, Folder
6), Visalia and Woodland
5
California--Ventura (see also: Series 1, Box 5, Folder
6)
6
California--Sacramento (see also: Series 1, Box 4, Folder
18)
7
Colorado--Grand Junction (see also: Series 1, Box 5, Folder
15)
8
Idaho--Nampa and Pocatello
9
Illinois--Dixon (see also: Series 1, Box 6, Folder 6), and Ottawa (see also: Series
1, Box 6, Folder 10)
10
Illinois--Chicago
11
Illinois--Ford City and Harvey
12
Illinois--Saint Charles
13
Illinois--Skokie (see also: Series 1, Box 6, Folder
11)
14
Indiana--Frankfort and Gary (see also: Series 1, Box 7, Folder
3)
15
Iowa--Chariton (see also: Series 1, Box 7, Folder 10)
16
Kansas--Chanute (see also: Series 1, Box 7, Folder 14), Concordia (see also: Series
1, Box 7, Folder 14), Fort Scott (see also Box 7, Folder 14), Newton, Parsons
(see also: Box 8, Folder 3)
17
Maryland--Glen Burnie (see also: Series 1, Box 8, Folder
11)
18
Maryland--Maryville
19
Maryland--Wheaton (see also: Series 1, Box 8, Folder
11)
20
Maryland--Baltimore (see also: Series 1, Box 8, Folders 8 and 9)
Box
17 Department stores
1
Michigan--Detroit (see also: Series 1, Box 9, Folders 7-9)
2
Minnesota--Faribault (see also: Series 1, Box 10, Folder 7), Kirksville and Redwood
Falls
3
Minnesota--St. Paul (see also: Series 1, Box 10, Folder
7)
4
Missouri--Mexico (see also: Series 1, Box 11, Folder
5)
5
Montana--Great Falls and Missoula (see also: Series 1, Box 11, Folder 6)
6
Nevada--Reno
7 New
York--Binghamton (see also: Series 1, Box 12, Folder
6)
8
Oklahoma--Coshocton (see also: Series 1, Box 14, Folder 1), Durant (see also: Series
1, Box 14, Folder 1), Elk City (see also Box 14, Folder 1), McAlester (see also:
Series 1, Box 14, Folder 1) Ponca City (see also: Series 1, Box 14, Folder 3)
9
Oregon--Eugene, Grants Pass, Slem, Roseburg, Portland (see also: Series 1, Box 2,
Folder 10), McMinnville, Medford (see also: Series 1, Box 14, Folder 4), Corvaallis,
Baker and Albany
10
Pennsylvania--Puhxsutawney, Warren, New Kensington
(see also: Series 1, Box 14, Folder 6)
11
Texas--Fort Worth, Hurst (see also: Series 1, Box 3, Folders 1-4 and Box 15, Folder
1)
12
Texas--Lubbock (see also: Series 1, Box 14, Folder 12)
13 Texas--Temple
14
Texas--Tyler (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder 4)
15
Vermont--Newport (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder
5)
16
Washington--Spokane (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder 9), Vancouver, Wenatchee
and Yakima
17
Wisconsin--Eau Claire (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder
11)
18
Wisconsin--Manitowac
19
Wisconsin--Platteville (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder
13)
20
Wisconsin--Portage (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder
10)
21
Wisconsin--Sheboygan (see also: Series 1, Box 15, Folder
14)
22
unidentified locations
Box
18 Department stores
1
unidentified locations of store interiors, ca. 1970
2
unidentified locations of store interiors, c, 1970
3
unidentified locations of store interiors, ca. 1980
4 unidentified locations of store interiors, n.d.
5 unidentified locations of store interiors, n.d.
6 unidentified locations of store interiors, n.d.
7
unidentified locations of store interiors, ca. 1920
Box
19 Catalog merchandise and advertising
1
Satisfaction Guarantee Promise, ca. 1875
2 The
Grange Hat, ca. 1874
3
First Montgomery Ward’s catalog illustration, ca. 1878
4
First live model used in catalog
5
Boots, ca. 1906
6
Buggy advertisements, ca. 1898
7
Horse drawn trucks ca. 1916 (see also: Series 1, Box 20, Folder
5)
8
Automobiles, ca. 1904, ca. 1906, ca. 1911 (see also: Series 1, Box 20, Folder 5)
9
MODOC Car, ca. 1913, ca. 1954
10
Advertisements against Montgomery Ward’s catalog ca. 1916
11
Brunswick Sewing Machine
12
Wardway homes, ca. 1918-1970
13
Harnesses, ca. 1882
14
Apple peeler
15
Farm equipment, ca. 1898-1980s
16
Army supply kit
17
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, ca. 1948
18
Fashions by Air Mail, ca. 1950s
19
Montgomery Ward’s motor oil
20
Irons
21Catalog
photographs, ca. 1977
22
Baby items
23
Car battery
24
Montgomery Ward credit card
25
Advertisement insert, ca. 1990s
26
Men’s apparel and advertisements, ca. 1900s-1970s (see also: Series 1, Box 20, Folder 3)
27
Women’ apparel and accessories, ca. 1956-1970 (see also: Series 1, Box 20, Folder 4)
28
Advertising Rail Car "Success," ca. 1897, ca. 1938
29
"Swallow" model ship
Box
20 Catalog merchandise and advertising
1
Catalog Covers, ca. 1893-1985
2
Children's Apparel and Accessories
3
Men's Apparel and Accessories (see also: Series 1, Box 19, Folder
26)
4
Women's Apparel and Accessories, ca. 1946-1970 (see also: Series 1, Box 19, Folder 27)
5
Horse-drawn Trucks and Automobiles, ca. 1886, ca. 1904, ca. 1925 (see also: Series
1, Box 19, Folder 7)
Box
21 People: Celebrities
1
Bacall, Lauren
2
Cody, William F. (Buffalo Bill)
3
Ebsen, Buddy; Mail Order Bride
4
Fox, Michael J.; Light of Day
5
Freeman, Mona
6
Hayward, Susan
7
Heston, Charleton; Fun of Your Life
8
McGraw, Ali and Tiegs, Cheryl; ca. 1969
9
Peck, Gregory
10
Saralegui, Cristina and Taylor, Elizabeth
11
Wayne, John; scenes from The Cowboy
Box
22 People: Employees
1
Chicago Birthday Parties, ca. 1904-1905
2
Employees at unidentified locations, ca. 1898, ca. 1920s
3 On
roller skates in mailroom
4
Store managers and employees at unidentified functions, at work in department store
5
Store managers and employees at unidentified functions
6 At
work in department store
7
Training and testing merchandise
8
May, Robert L.
9
Swainson, Anne, commissioned artist
10
Weiss, Edward H. Artist commissioned by the Chicago Association of Commerce and
Industry. Portraits of Montgomery Ward, Edward S. Donnell, and Robert E. Brooker
11
Man with mannequins, ca. 1987
12
Various store managers, ca. 1990s
Box
23 People: Executives
1
Avery, Sewell
2
Avery, Sewell
3
Brennan, Bernard
4
Baker, Marjorie Ward
5 Board of Directors, 1962
6 Board of Directors, 1973
7 Brooker, Robert E. and Donnell, Edward S. (President and CEO
of Montgomery Ward and Co., Director of Marcor Inc.); Elliott, R.M. (Regional
VP) and Everitt, George B.
8
Executive Planes and Executives: Castro, Raoul; Hapbeck, William; Mangels, Bob;
McGiven, John; McKnight, Sidney
9
Various Presidents and Chairmen of the Board
10 Schoenhofen, Leo H.; President of Marcor Inc.
11
Strawn, Silas
12
The Thorne Brothers
13
Thorne Family and Ward Family
14 Thorne, George R.
15
Van Der Eb, Henry G., President and Chief Executive Officer of Container Corporation
of America
16
Ward, A. Montgomery
17 Ward, Montgomery and Thorne, George R.
Box
24 People: Executives
1
Thorne, Victoria C. (great great granddaughter of George R. Thorne)
2 Two
prints of Sewell Avery defending Ward’s in proxy fight during WWII.
3 Brooker, Robert
4 Donnell, Edward S.
5
Schoenhofen, Leo
6 Marcor Inca. executives
Box
25 Group portrait: Employees of the Montgomery Ward’s store in Portland, Oregon,
July 1922
Permission of the CHM Conservator is
required in order to consult this box.
Box
26 Events: Miscellaneous
1 The
Aaron Montgomery Ward Collection of the Chicago Public Library introduction
ceremony
2
Buckingham Fountain
3
Cabrini Connections
4
Callaway ropewalker
5
Children’s Christmas Party, unidentified location
6
Dedication of Flagpole by Montgomery Ward to Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge,
June 12, 1976
7
Forever Open, Clear, and Free: the Struggle for
Chicago’s Lakefront by Lois Wille, book signing, 1972
8
Golden Jubilee, 1922
9 The
Grange Movement
10
The Green Team, 1985 with Harold Washington and George F. Brennan
11
Group Insurance Pioneers, ca. 1962
12
Iowa State Fair, 1940
13
Illinois State Fair, 1925 and 1928
14
Montgomery Ward International Student Goodwill Tour, 1972
15
Merchandise Mart Bust, sculptor
16
Merchandise Mart Bust, unveiling ceremony
17
"Off To The Orient," ca. 1904
18
Riverside Wires Racing Promotion, ca. 1939
Box
27 Events: Miscellaneous
1 Rodeos, 1939 and 1942
2
Rubber Donation, WWII
3
Santa Claus Toyland Special Plane, Fort Worth Texas
4
Ship; the Freighter Anna that brought first merchandise direct from Europe, 1931
5
Spirit of Progress Statue with one original Diana statue
6
Summer Olympics, 1975 Pan Am Games in Mexico City, Mexico
7
S.S. Falaba
8
Zagreb, Yugoslavia International Trade Fair, 1962
9 4-H
Congress: contest winners of home economics-consumer education program
10 4-H Congress: 1st winner of home economics-consumer education
program 25 years later as social service missionary in Napoli, Italy
11 4-H Congress, first year Montgomery Wards was involved, 1922
12
100th Anniversary: Meadmore sculpture
13
100th Anniversary: advertising photographs for commemoration dinner
14
100th Anniversary: stamp commemoration
15 100th
Anniversary: stamp commemoration
16
100th Anniversary: commemorative spoons
16
Century II, Marriott marketing meeting
Box
28 Events: 1944 Strike in Chicago
1
Picket Line
2
Picket Line
3
Scabs, union voting, picket line arrests
4
Official government takeover in Chicago
5
Government takeover, Springfield, Illinois
6
Government takeover, various cities
7
Montgomery Ward’s Prevails, cartoons
8
Government takeover, U.S. Soldiers
9
Avery, Sewell
10
Court hearings about injunction
11
Policing picket line
12 Picket
line
13
Picket line
14
Scabs
15
Contact prints of military officials and picket line
Box
29 Events: Miscellaneous
1 Contact prints of photographs of bust at Merchandise Mart (see also: Series 1, Box 26, Folders 13
and 14)
2
Farmers’ Round-Up, September-November 1944, various locations
3
Merchandise Mart bust
4 St.
Paul, Minnesota, Wardway Club, ca. 1930
Box
30 Album of Georgian Architecture
Box
31 Buildings: Locations Affiliated with Montgomery Ward’s
1
Aaron Montgomery Ward's birthplace in Chatham, New Jersey
2
Aaron Montgomery Ward's home in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
3
Grange Supply House, ca. 1880
4
Contractors: American Wrecking Company, ca. 1941
5
Birds Eye View of the Business District of Chicago, ca. 1989
6
Chicago Theatre, ca. 1989
7
North Clark Street, Montgomery Ward’s first location
8
Kinzie Street, Aaron Montgomery Ward's First Office in Chicago
9
Michigan Avenue, Montgomery Ward’s Tower Building, the "Busy
Bee-Hive"
10
State Street, The Fair department storw and Montgomery
Ward’s stores
11 Northwestern
University, Montgomery Ward Memorial Building
12
Montgomery Ward’s corporate office, the Michigan Avenue Tower Building, ca. 1996
13
Container Corporation of America, ca. 1960-1990
Box
32 Photographs from Montgomery Ward's publications: quarterly and annual
reports,
ForWard and other public relations materials
1
Annual report photographs, ca. 1955
2
First quarter report, 1989
3
ForWard photographs, Jan/Feb 1988
4
Fourth quarter report, 1988
5
Grand openings, 1962; photographs from a public relations manual
6
Grand opening of distribution center, photographs from a public relations manual
7 The
Home Store
8
Information systems
9
Marcor housing, Denver, Colorado
Box
33 Miscellaneous photographs
1
Five generations of Native Americans
2
Farmer getting the news and concerts, ca. 1921
3
Prairie customers
4
Montgomery Ward’s trucks
5
Unknown reporter and two men
6
Jan-Feb ForWard, ca. 1988
7
Fourth quarter report, 1988
8 1st
Quarter report, 1989
9
Information systems
10 Mock-Up
11
MoneyPlex
12
Photographs from a handbook about opening a Montgomery Ward’s store, ca. 1950
Call#: 2001.0163 PCP-0191-0195 (5 boxes: 11
x 14 in. and smaller):
Series 2 Color photoprints (CP0191-CP0195)
Box 1
Catalog houses, distribution centers and department stores
1
Illinois--Chicago, before renovation
2
Illinois--Chicago
3
Illinois--Chicago ca. 1980 before renovation
4
Illinois--Chicago ca. 1985 after renovation
5
Illinois--Chicago ca. 1985 after renovation
6
Illinois--Chicago ca. 1980 before renovation
7
Illinois--Chicago ca. 1985 after renovation
8
Alabama--Dothan sales associates
9
Alabama--New Bern ribbon cutting
10
Arizona--Arcadia, Phoenix
11
Arizona--Tucson specialty store
12
California--Huntington Beach
13
California--Ventura
14
Colorado--Colorado Springs, May 1984 Home Store
15
Colorado--Colorado Springs, May 1984 Home Store
16
Colorado--Colorado Springs, May 1984 Home Store
17
Colorado--Denver, North Valley
18
Colorado--Durango 1968
19
Florida--Ocala
20
Florida--Pinellas
21
Florida--St. Petersburg
22
Illinois--Moline
23
Indiana--Fort Wayne
24
Indiana--Gary
25
Indiana--Kokomo
26
Kansas--Lawrence
27
Kansas--Lawrence
28
Kansas--Topeka
29
Maryland--Annapolis June 6, 1985
30
Maryland--Annapolis June 6, 1985
Box 2
Department stores
1
Maryland--Landover Hills
2
Michigan--Livonia
3
Minnesota--Duluth, St. Paul
4
North Carolina--Rocky Mount
5
Ohio--Akron, Cuyahoga Falls
6
Oregon--Portland
7
Pennsylvania--Dubois April 1990
8
Pennsylvania--Dubois April 1990
9
South Dakota--Yankton
10
Texas--Hillsboro
11
Texas--Fort Worth, Hurst
12
Texas--Mesquite
13
Texas--Pasadena
14
Texas--Tyler
15
Texas--Waco
16
Virginia--Norfolk
17
Vermont--Burlington
18
Wisconsin--Eau Claire
19
unidentified locations of store interiors
20
unidentified locations of store interiors, late 1980s
21
unidentified locations of store interiors, late 1980s
22
unidentified locations of store interiors, late 1980s
23
unidentified location, bakery and eatery
24
unidentified location, bakery and eatery
25
unidentified locations of store interiors, 1970s
Box 3
Catalog merchandise and advertising, people, events
1
Final Catalog ca. 1985
2
Miniature washing machine
3
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
4
Wardway homes
5
Bernard F. Brennan, Mayor Daley and other heads of Chicago companies
6
Bernard F. Brennan
7
Canoga Park store employees
8
Mike Ditka
9
Chris Evert
10
Charleston Heston, Fun of Your Life
11
Elle MacPherson
12
Cristina Saralegvi
13
60th Anniversary
14
Chicago Public Library Montgomery Ward Collection
15
Fountain Dedication, June 8, 1994
16
Golden Jubilee, photographs of exhibit
17
Lechmere Home Image Stores
18
Lechmere Home Image Store grand opening
19
Lechmere Home Image Store grand opening
20
Lechmere Home Image Store grand opening
21
Meadmore Sculpture at Art Institute of Chicago
22
Merchandise Mart Bust, program, bust and sculpture
23
Montgomery Ward’s buyout from Mobil
24
National Register of Historical Places Listing
25
Sesquicentennial Daley Center historic display
26
Spirit of Progress Statue
27
Stamp Commeration
28
Summer Olympics
29
World's Columbian Exposition, Agricultural Building and Women's Building
Box 4
Locations affiliated with Montgomery Ward's; photographs for Montgomery Ward's
publications
1
Chicago Theatre, September 1989
2
Chicago Theatre, September 1989
3
Michigan Avenue Building (former store location)
4 Tower Building on Chicago Avenue
5 Tower Building on Chicago Avenue
6 Tower Building on Chicago Avenue
7
Marcor Housing Development, Construction, interior and exterior
8
Montgomery Ward's trucks in San Diego, California
9
Montgomery Ward's trucks
10
Montgomery Ward's trucks
11
Kids store
Box 5
Miscellaneous
1 1st
Quarter, 1989 and 4th Quarter, 1988
2
Department Stores, Illinois--North Riverside
3
Light of Day approvals (Movie starring Michael J. Fox)
4 The
Green Scene, Portland, Oregon
5
1970's store interiors, unidentified locations
6
Chicago Bulls NBA World Champions, 1991-1993
7
Prints of a Montgomery Ward's camera
Call#: 2001.0163 PFL (6 folders: 32 x 40
in. and smaller):
Series 3 Flat file graphics
1
Lithographic print of the Michigan Avenue Tower building with 1900 calendar
2
Group portraits and banquet photographs of Montgomery Ward's managers and executives
3
Montgomery Ward's location maps and employee benefits broadsides
4
Montgomery Ward's clothing and product advertisements
5
Alaska map and provisions recommendations
6
1991 Design submissions and Tower building schematic print
Call#: 2001.0163 PPN-0364-0372 (9 boxes: 11
x 15 in. and smaller):
Series 4 Black & white negatives
Box 1
Catalog houses and distribution centers; department stores:
Alabama--Maryland
Box 2
Department stores: Michigan--unidentified store interiors
Box 3
Catalog merchandise and advertising, events (in ca. 1944 Strike in Chicago),
buildings: locations affiliated with Montgomery Ward’s, people, photographs for
Montgomery Ward publications, and miscellaneous
Box 4
Catalog houses and distribution centers; department stores:
Alabama--Colorado
Box 5
Department stores: Florida--Maryland
Box 6
Department stores: Michigan--North Dakota
Box 7
Department stores: Ohio--Wisconsin
Box 8
Department stores: unidentified locations of store interiors; catalog merchandising
and advertising; people: employees; events: various; buildings: locations
affiliated with Montgomery Ward; photographs for Montgomery Ward publications
Box 9
Glass negatives: Department stores: Indiana
Call#: 2001.0163 PCT-0211-0212 (2 boxes: 11
x 15 in. and smaller):
Series 5 Color transparencies
Box 1
Catalog houses and distribution stores, department stores, catalog merchandise
and advertising, people: celebrities, people: executives, events: various,
buildings: locations affiliated with Montgomery Wards
1-3
Illinois--Chicago
4-12,
31 Illinois--DeKalb to Urbana and unidentified locations
13
Indiana--Gary
14
Iowa--Burlington
15-18,
33 Michigan--Allen Park to Mt. Clemens
19
Ohio--Cincinnati
20-21,
35 Texas--Houston to Tyler
22-26
California--Chico to San Leandro
28-30
Colorado--Colorado Springs to Denver
32
Maryland--Baltimore
34
Missouri--Kansas City (Blue Ridge)
36
Virginia--Hampton
37
Unidentified Locations of store interiors, ca. 1980s
38
Catalog merchandise and advertising--Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
39
Catalog merchandise and advertising--Catalog covers
40
People--Ebsen, Buddy, Mail Order Bride
41
People--Ditka, Mike
42
People--McPherson, Elle, Connie Selleca
43
People--Saralegui, Cristina
44
People--Brennan, Bernard
45
Events--Painting for Chicago Public Library
46
Events--Sesquicentennial Anniversary Daley Center Historic Display
47
Buildings--North Clark Street--Birthplace of Montgomery Ward
48 Buildings--State
Street--The Fair
49
Buildings--Tower Building (corporate offices)
50
Buildings--Lechmere--Milford, Saugus
51
Buildings--Jefferson Ward Stores
52
Buildings--Tower Building (corporate offices)
Box 2
Photographs from Montgomery Ward's publications, department stores, department stores: unidentified, catalog merchandise and
advertising, people: employees, buildings: locations affiliated with Montgomery
Wards
1
1961 Annual Report Cover
2
1983 Together in Growth Charter
3 1st
Quarter Report, 1989
4 Ad
Insert Photography ca. 1990
5
Chicago Bulls
6 Quilt Publicity
7
Spirit of Progress Statue
8
Montgomery Ward Trucks
9
Historical slides with identification sheet
10-14
Department Stores--California--Dale City to Ventura
15
Department Stores--Florida--Clearwater to Coco
17
Department Stores--Illinois--Chicago Heights
18-23
Department Stores--Indiana--Gary, store interior
24
Department Stores--Indiana--Ft. Wayne
25
Department Stores--Iowa--Dubuque
26
Department Stores--Kansas--Wichita
27
Department Stores--Louisiana--Baton Rouge
28-37
Department Stores--Maryland--Baltimore to Wheaton
38-42
Department Stores--Michigan--Allen Park to Pontiac
43
Department Stores--Nebraska--Scottsbluff
44
Department Stores--North Dakota--Minot
45
Department Stores--Ohio--Niles
46-48
Department Stores--Texas--Dallas to Houston
49
Department Stores--Wisconsin--Eau Claire, ribbon cutting
50
Department Stores--Arizona--Tucson
51
Department Stores--Unidentified Store Interiors
52 Advertisement Insert Photography
53 Advertisement Insert Photography
54
Canoga Park
55
Illinois--Chicago Tower Building
56
Marcor Housing, Colorado--Denver, construction
Call#: 2001.0163 PCN-0030 (1 box: 11 x 15
in.):
Series 6 Color negatives
Box 1
catalog houses and distribution centers; department stores; catalog merchandise
and advertising; people: executives; Buildings: locations affiliated with
Montgomery Ward; events: various
1, 3,
14-15 Maryland--Annapolis to Wheaton
2
Florida--Clearwater
4
Texas--Pasadena
5
Unidentified Locations of store interiors
6
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
7
Brennan, Bernard
8
Tower Building (corporate offices)
9
Arizona--Tucson
10
California--Chico
11
Colorado--Denver (North Valley)
12
Illinois--North Riverside
13
Kansas--Lawrence
16
Final Catalog Cover ca. 1985
17
Catalog Covers
18
Brennan, Bernard and President George Bush
19 Throne, George R.
20
60th Anniversary
21
100th Anniversary
22
Sesquicentennial Daley Center Display
23 Montgomery Ward leveraged buyout from Mobil
24
Spirit of Progress Statue
25
Merchandise Mart Bust
26
Marcor Housing, Colorado--Denver
27
Tower Building (corporate offices)
28
HomeImage Store
29
Illinois--Chicago
Call#: 2001.0163 F (2 boxes: 16 x 13 x 11
and unboxed films):
Series 7 Film
Box 1
Film
Film
1 Services for Customers
Film
2 Services for Customers, six television commercials
Film
3 "The Man" musical "Hit Like a
Pro"
Film
4 The Money Tree
Film
5 Career Opportunities in Retailing
Film
6 Styled in California
Film
7 Ward's Unexpected Generation
Film
8 Montgomery Ward Retakes for Tag, "About Aaron Montgomery Ward"
Film
9 What of the Future, "An old film for Wards
Employees. Delightful scenes of early autos, streets, trolleys, tractors,
buses, farm scenes, school buses, fashions of the day, etc. Early Ward retail
stores."
Film
10 A Week at the World's Fair, 1933
Film 11 Stalemated,
produced by Ezra Baker
Box 2
Films
Film
1 Children of America: Montgomery Ward Catalog
Film
2 Catalog 1984 Sales Marketing Meeting
Film
3 Something for Everyone "Employee Benefits"
Film
4 Report to Consumers
Film
5 Designer Speak-In 1970
Film
6 Century 2 "Announces Wards 100th Anniversary Year"
Film
7 Report to Consumers "Minority Employment"
Film
8 Your Home Furnishing Dollar
Film
9 Wards Designer Advisory Council
Film
10 Can the Woman of Uncertain Age...
Film
11 Crystal Lake and DeKalb Stores
Film
12 It's a Different World
Film
13 Forward, Vol. 1
Film
14 Marcor, "Discusses Montgomery Ward and Container Corporation."
Unboxed
Films:
Film
1 Wards II
Film
2 Rally Racing Fever
Film
3 Management Update, Sept. 1981
Film
4 June 1976 Sales Meeting
Film 5 Report to Consumers, original version, "Unique
overview of retailing.
A highly informative film for career guidance, consumer
education and marketing classes."
Film
6 The Fun of Your Life, "Features Charlton Heston. In support of President's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the importance of keeping physically
fit."
Film 7 Super-Vee--New Young Giant of Racing
Film 8 Report to Consumers, "Unique overview of retailing. A highly informative film
of career guidance, consumer education and marketing classes."
Film
9 Straight Talk...On Decorating, "Dave Farrar fields some entertaining questions
about home decorating from a live studio audience."
Film
10 One Day At The Fair
Film
11 Montgomery Ward 1961 Fashions
Film
12 Designers in Action, "Introduces Ward's Advisory Council of leading fashion
designers. Depicts how designs are selected, features Reta Perna and Richard
Abott as VP-New York"
Call#: 2001.0163 V (in CS.0MM.D1.S1-D2.S1; 4
boxes: 12 x 8 x 6 in.):
Series 8 Videotapes (and audio tapes)
Box 1
Videocassettes (CS.OMM.D1.S)
1 The
Story of Rudolph, November 1990
2
Communication Meeting-Rudolph, November 1995
3
Rudolph, 1948--Rudolph, 1963--Charlie Brown, 1965
4
Product Service--"In the Spotlight "
5
Product Service -Saving Billy Ryans TV
6
Product Service--It's A Wonderful Life With A & E
Signature Service
7
Product Service--Shakespeare in Love with Product Replacement Guarantees
8
Product Service--Jewel of the Aisle
9 The
S.P.A. Who Saves Loved Me
10
Wards Fall 1998 Advertising
11
Wards Fall 1998 Commercials
12
Montgomery Wards--four 30-second commercials
Box 2
Videocassettes (CS.OMM.D2.S1)
13
Associate Appreciation Days / Advertising Preview
14
Wards Management Meeting, September 23, 1998
15
Wards Merchandising Meeting, January 30, 1998
16
Vendor Open Houses: Advertising, September 1998
17 MW
(6) Spots with Ditka, July 25, 1995
18
Fish Session: National Office, June 24, 1999
19
Associate Recognition Week, 1994
20 MW
Implosion, January 7, 1996
21
Wards Smokestack Demolition, May 6, 1995
Box 3
Videocassettes (CS.OMM.D2.S1)
22 Charter for Survival, January 19, 1983
23
Customers Are Our Business
24
Ditka/ Pippen