Sew…..what do YOU know about the textile and apparel factories in Millville’s past?
The Millville Historical Society is preparing an exhibit about Millville’s sewing and clothing factories for the Third Friday event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 18. The exhibit will be on display at the society’s Research & Genealogical Society, located at 200 E. Main Street.
Anyone with history in Millville can likely find an ancestor who worked in one of the sewing or clothing factories that were once prevalent throughout the city. If you are trying to confirm family stories, the U.S. censuses from 1910 through 1940 all include fields where residents reported their occupations or industries.
One of the Millville Historical Society’s trustees shared that her paternal grandmother worked for Rennoc (Rennoc Toys & Games) at the Millville Airport; her maternal grandmother worked for Model Blouse on Mulberry Street; her great-aunt worked for Maree Sportswear (at the Millville Airport or on Columbia Avenue); and her mother worked for Midway Apparel on 7th Street.
Do any of these companies sound familiar? What is your family’s story? Post your memories and connections on the society’s Facebook page or email them to mlvhistsoc@comcast.net. This is an ongoing research project, and the society would love to add your history to its records.
Next door at the 1798 Baracha Dunn House, visitors can tour the oldest surviving building in downtown Millville and learn about its rich history.
Guests can also make a lavender sachet to take home as a practical keepsake. These scented bags were once household essentials, used to keep clothing fresh, repel insects, and represent domestic virtue.
