Department Stores in the Guilded Age

Vintage Marshall Fields Postcard 1902

 

South Grill Room at Marshall Fields

     Department stores were very popular during the Guilded age. They first started opening in 1840. G Fox, Gimbels, and Joseph Horne in Pittsburgh were some of the very first ones. Real true department stores did not start opening until 1878. Some of them included Wanamakers in Philidelphia, Macy's in New York, and Jordan Marsh in Boston. Another popular departmant store was Marshall Field's, or Marshal Field and Company. Marshall Fields,which became Macy's in 2005, first started out as a dry goods store. It eventually developed into a department store. 

     Why were department stores so popular? Well department stores changed shopping to be a glamorous and luxurious activity. How they did this is by making the stores attractive by the people. They were so elegantly designed and decorated. There was always beautiful architect such as atriums and domes. In Marshall Field's there is a gorgeous Tiffany Dome ceiling. There is also always many floors. 

                                                                                                              Tiffany dome at Marshall Fields

 Department stores also attracted people because they were getting various items and bringing them into one store. The people loved this because this meant that they would only have to go to one place to get just about everything they need. 

    For women they made it to where it was like a social event. There would be tea rooms, restaurants and lounges all in the department store. Everyone wanted to go to department stores because the atmosphere was just awesome. 

    Even though department stores were very popular, it also had some negatives. This was especially true during the economic depression of 1890. Some of the criticism came from small businesses they  felt threatened by big department store. Department stores made a lot of money because they were able to sell products at lower prices than those in small private shops. They were also criticized for deceptive advertisement and selling shoddy goods. Shoddy goods are fabric that is poorly made. Department stores were also a big temptation for shoplifting. Another negative is that women clerks did not get paid very well, this led them to going into prostitution for more money. 

   Although there were quite a few negatives about Department Stores, the positives definitely out weighed them. Department stores introduced a whole new definition to shopping. 

Sources: wikipedia, American-History-Survey, pdxhistory, Wonderful World of Department Stores, The World of Department Stores

Immigration

    From watching Faces of America video, I learned that the decisions our ancestors made effects us greatly.  If they decided not to come to the US our lives would be totally different. Some of us would not be where we are today. In the video, if their ancestors made a different decision they probably would not of had the opportunities to be successful as they are today.
   We are a "nation of immigrants". That means that pretty much everyone who lives here is from a different country. It means that the cultures are very diverse. I do feel aware of my connection to my ancestors because I know that my grandparents came from Lebanon after they got married.

John D Rockefeller

     John D Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company. He has been hardworking all of his life. As a teenager, Rockefeller took on a lot of small businesses. In 1863 he opened his first oil refinery. At this time he had control of almost all the refineries int he region. By the 1880's Rockefeller had dominated oil business throughout the whole country. Rockefeller retired from the oil business when he was 56. Then he focused on charity work. Rockefeller have $30 million to many different causes and charities.
    Rockefeller was definitely a successful man, and a wealthy on also. He started out at the bottom and worked his way to the very top. He showed the world that hard work most def pays off in the end. I believe that Rockefeller is a perfect example of a successful man.

Sources: pbs, biography.com

Native American Clothing and Headdresses

Native American Woman

Clothing to Native Americans was very important to them. They did not take making clothing lightly at all; it was very serious to them. Men usually did not make clothing at all. Mostly women were the makers of all the clothing. The objects and decorations that the women used were very symbolic. A lot of family relationships were honored in the making of clothing.

Native American Dress

            Native American women used many different types of objects to make and decorate clothing. Most of the time they used animals to. They believed that humans and animals were equal and that we should be treated with respect. The animals that were used on the clothing were very much treated with care and respect. The Native Americans were very resourceful with their animals. They would never want to waste any part of an animal. Some things that they used were quills from porcupines, feathers from eagles, deer skins or any animals’ fur or teeth. The leather from the deer would mostly be used for moccasins, which both men and women wore.

Native American Headdress

       
     Each Native American tribe had their own style of clothing. But the most important thing is that all Native Americans greatly respected nature and animals. Even though each tribe added their own little flare to their clothing, they did all have some things in common. No matter what tribe, all women would wear skirts or leggings. Both men and women would wear moccasins. One thing that was different for each tribe was headgear and ceremony attire.

            Headdresses were a huge part in Native American clothing. The Sioux were thought to be the first to wear headdresses. If you wore a headdress then what was a very huge deal. Not everyone was allowed to wear one. Only the most influential and powerful could wear a headdress. For some tribes you would have to earn your way to wear the headdress. A lot of times the warrior had to fast for a few days. During this time they would also have to be meditating. The purpose of this was to show his dedication to the tribe.

            The making of headdress was also a serious task. Women were not allowed to participate in the making. Usually only the chief and/or his closest friends participated. The main aspect of the headdress was the bird feathers. The more feathers you had on your headdress mean the more brave you are. The feathers could be all sorts of colors or just different feather of the same color. The Golden Eagle feather was very significant and was a great honor if you had one. If you did have one, then everyone else in your tribe treated you with a lot of respect. The strap of the headdress was usually made out of deer sinew, leather, or even sometimes just cloth. Since headdresses were so complex, they were usually not made in one sitting.  

            In today's society, Native American costumes are very popular for Halloween. It is very much overlooked of how big of a deal and how serious it was to have the honor of wearing a headdress. Also in today's society headdress are used for Native American weddings and ceremonies, not so much for battling. 

           The most important thing that I have learned is that clothing was and still is very important and symbolic to Native Americans. It is very different than the clothes we wear today. Our clothes usually do not have as significant meaning. Most people wear the clothes they wear because it is the fashion. 

Sources:

·       prm

·       native american art 
indians.org  

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