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From Hula Hoops to High Fashion:
G. Fox in the 1950s

A 45-minute presentation by Elizabeth Abbe, Director of Public Outreach

In the 1950s, just about every major city had a landmark department store. In Connecticut, it was G. Fox & Co in Hartford!

This presentation will bring you back in time to Fox's heyday as we go from floor to floor and recall departments ranging from accessories on the "street" floor, to designer dresses on 6, and ending at Toyland on 11. You'll also learn about Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the remarkable woman who made every visit to Fox's so enjoyable and set the standard for customer service. We promise to stir pleasant memories of date nut bread in the Connecticut Room, back-to-school shopping, and the wonderful Christmas season at G. Fox & Co.!

About the presenter:

Elizabeth Abbe is the Director of Public Outreach at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford. She says that Fox's "touches people's personal history." "Audience members often tell me that I've brought back wonderful memories of the wedding dress they bought at Fox's, the hours they spent in the book department on the mezzanine, or the thrill of seeing the decorated marquee at Christmas." Elizabeth, who grew up in Wethersfield, says she remembers how special it was to take the bus "uptown" to spend the day shopping with her mother at Fox's and eating at the luncheonette. She encourages people attending her talks to bring their memories and favorite purchases from the store.

For a schedule of public presentations, please return to our In the Community page.

Thanks to generous donations from G. Fox & Co., former employees and customers, and the Fox and Auerbach families and their descendants, the Connecticut Historical Society has amassed extensive holdings on the famous department store. The collection includes photographs, dresses sold in many different eras, house wares, and even correspondence between G. Fox President Beatrice Fox Auerbach and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. See some of the collection in our online exhibit.