Kennard-Pyle Company records
Creation: 1906-1946Abstract
Kennard-Pyle Company was a department store known for its women's clothing. By the late twentieth century, it was one of Delaware's oldest independent clothing retailers.
Dates
- Creation: 1906-1946
Creator
- Kennard-Pyle Company (Wilmington, Del.) (Organization)
Extent
100 item(s)
Historical Note
Kennard-Pyle Company was a department store known for its women's clothing. By the late twentieth century, it was one of Delaware's oldest independent clothing retailers.
Founded as Kennard & Company in 1846 by brothers William M. Kennard (1834-1914) and John Kennard (1828-1864) in Wilmington, Delaware, the firm sold dry goods, clothing, and accessories. Kennard & Company evolved into a department store, best known for its women's clothing. In 1918, it was purchased by the newly formed Kennard-Pyle Company, headed by John R. Lambson (1864-1951). Lambson formerly was the manager for Kennard & Company and had worked for the store in various capacities since he was a young boy. Lamson also purchased the Edward W. Pyle & Co. shoe store in Wilmington, Delaware. The Kennard-Pyle Company was incorporated on March 24, 1922.
Kennard-Pyle Company filed for bankruptcy in 1984; despite the company president's efforts to keep the business going, all stores closed by 1986.
Scope and Contents
The records include annual balance sheets (1918-1935), salary sheets (1933-1937, incomplete), payroll adjustment sheets (1932), a payroll ledger (1941-1946), two issues of "Kapeco News" (1925), and three catalogs. There are two programs for minstrel shows given by employees in 1925 and 1926, and assorted newsclippings. The remaining items deal with the celebration of the company's 100th anniversary, including the program and menu for the centennial banquet at the Hotel Du Pont, invitations, photographs, badges, and an historical pamphlet.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Additional Description
Separated Materials
Kennard-Pyle Company Centennial Celebration photographs (Accession 1986.232), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.
Subjects
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Kennard-Pyle Company records
- Author:
- Lynn Ann Catanese
- Date:
- 1997
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021: Laurie Sather
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
