History threads — Christmas cheer
This is the latest in an occasional series of posts about the history of the garment industry in Warren, Washington, Saratoga and Essex counties.
Workers in various departments of the Glen Shirt Factory on Park Street chipped in to buy Christmas presents for bosses in1886.
The “young ladies” of the collar and cuff department gave foreman J.M, Morrison a standard lamp, as a combined Christmas and promotion congratulations gift.
“Mr. Morrison will become superintendent of the establishment after the first of January, and will be succeeded in the collar and cuff department by Miss Grace Travis,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Dec. 27,1886.
Employees of the shirt department gave forelady Helen Brown a silver water pitcher and goblet, and assistant forelady Miss Daley a silver watch.
“Anna, the maid of all work, was also kindly remembered, receiving a number of substantial gifts from the employees of the factory.”
Employees of the laundry department gave H.S. Fielding a hanging lamp, The Morning Star reported on Dec. 29.
Throughout history, Christmas was a joyous time at Glens Falls area shirt factories.
“Each employee of the Kurzrok factories in Glens Falls and Hudson Falls were presented with a box of candy, Saturday. The forewomen, foremen and superintendents were presented gifts by the company and also by the employees,” The Post-Star reported on Dec. 26,1922.
The Fulton Shirt Company treated employees to a Christmas dinner and gift grab bag at the factory on Dec. 23, The Post-Star reported on Dec.27,1922.
“The forelady and assistant forelady were presented with gold pieces, the machinist with a motor-meter, and the manager, Mr. Jacobie, with cigars.”
The management gave a box of candy to each employee.
In Whitehall, a jolly representative of Champlain Silk Mills took to the road on Dec.23, 1922 to distribute gifts to children of employees.
“Santa Claus drove around town making the presentations to 633 children under sixteen years of age,” The Post-Star reported on Dec. 26,1922.
In 1946, sixty employees and 17 children attended the Christmas party of the Lee Lingerie Co. in Granville.
“Frank Calazza was toastmaster. Christmas carol singing was led by William Owens,” The Post-Star reported on Dec.26, 1946. “Donald Reynolds acted as Santa Claus and presented each child with gift and each employee a sum of money on behalf of Edward H. Goldberg, manager of the local factory.”
Click here to read the most recent previous post in this series.
