From Hula Hoops to High Fashion: G. Fox Co. in the 1950s - Relive the heyday of Connecticut’s premier shopping destination

The United Congregational Church of Tolland, the Tolland Historical Society and the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS) are teaming up to bring you “From Hula Hoops to High Fashion: G. Fox Co. in the 1950s” on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at 2 PM at the United Congregational Church, 45 Tolland Green, Tolland.  There will be a $5 donation at the door.

For most Connecticut residents, the word “Fox’s” holds powerful associations. The name evokes images of a beautifully decorated, tall department store on Main Street filled with every imaginable garment, home furnishing or, domestic necessity dreamed of and warm memories of sharing time with family and friends. From the marqueedecorated for Christmas to shopping trips for back-to-school clothes, the days at G. Fox were filled with wonder. For a treat, nothing was better than cream cheese on date-nut bread with mother in the Connecticut Room.

Elizabeth Abbe, director of public outreach at the Connecticut Historical Society, will be your guide down memory lane, with a look at Connecticut’s favorite department store. She will take you back, floor by floor, to the days when Fox’s was the largest privately-owned department store in the U.S. Elizabeth, who grew up in Wethersfield, says she remembers how special it was to take the bus “uptown” to spend the day shopping with her mother at Fox’s.

Elizabeth will also give you some insight into the woman who made every shopping experience a joy – Beatrice Fox Auerbach. In addition to a substantial collection of business papers, clothing, furniture, and photographs tied to the story of G. Fox Co., the Connecticut Historical Society houses some of Mrs. Auerbach’s personal records including correspondence with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

It’s time to revisit G. Fox Co., where the customer was always right!  Bring your memories along with your favorite purchases. We’ll have some tables for display of G. Fox Co. treasures and time for you to share a favorite G. Fox   Co. story.  You'll also have the opportunity to go home with a booklet that gives a brief history of the store for a small donation.

This program is a part of the CHS adult outreach program. To learn more about CHS and its programs, visit www.chs.org.  CHS is located at 1 Elizabeth Street in Hartford, CT.