Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1972.C32 |
Object Name |
Cloak |
Features |
Evening cloak or coat, black satin, round collar with deep revers of purple edged with black. Ornament of braid in front have loops to close barrel shape covered buttons. Similar ornaments on back, cuffs and collar. Swallow tail, lined with grey sateen. Sleeves with purple and black cuffs. (Black material is purple on the wrong side). |
Object Story |
The north-east corner of Dundas and Centre street once housed George Mill’s frame home and harness shop. Mills purchased the land from J.S. Cartwright in 1840. Mills later moved his harness shop to Centre Street. In 1863, a three storey brick and stone building was constructed on this lot. Mills leased the building to Robert Downey and Robert Rennie and was Napanee’s first commercial "dry goods" store. The Downey and Rennie partnership dissolved in 1864. Downey operated it as the The Robert Downey Company until 1887. At this time J.W. Robinson purchased the business from Downey and changed the name to The Robinson Company Ltd., but continued to lease the building from Mills. At its height, the Robinson Company employed 35 people. The store consisted of three floors, specializing in millinery and other fashion accessories, sewing notions, ready-to-wear clothing, personal sundries, and home furnishing. The store imported goods directly from suppliers, which meant they could sell high-quality merchandise for reasonable prices, and had an on-site warehouse, seamstresses, and showrooms. In 1906, around the same time Robinson purchased the building, the company was incorporated with officers- J.W. Robinson, President, W.J. Campbell, Vice President, and J.E. Robinson, Secretary. The Robinson Company operated until 1927, and was subsequently operated by the Canadian Department Stores Ltd. until 1928 when the T. Eaton Co. moved in and remained until 1966. |
People |
VanAsylstine, Hazel |
Subjects |
1900 Fashion Mourning Cloaks |
Search Terms |
Napanee, Ontario Robinson and Company |