Photo Record
Images
Additional Images [16]
Metadata
Title |
Baer Fabrics (Louisville, Ky.) Photograph Collection |
Collection |
Baer Fabrics (Louisville, Ky.) Photograph Collection |
Catalog Number |
023PC7 |
Date |
ca. 1905-2008 |
Location |
Kentucky / Jefferson County / Louisville |
Description |
*Click Media button above for Finding Aid (in-house only)* This collection contains photos relating to Baer Fabrics (formerly A. Baer Co.), a Jewish-owned fabric and sewing supply store that operated for 103 years in Louisville, Kentucky, with an additional location in Evansville, Indiana. It was established 1905 by Nathan Baer (ca. 1878-1950), a Russian immigrant employed in the men's tailoring industry. He was succeeded by his son Abraham "Abe" Baer (1907-1982), who was in turn succeeded by his son-in-law, Stuart Goldberg (1941-). A. Baer Co. and Baer Fabrics changed locations numerous times until the 1980s, when the flagship location settled at 515 East Market St. in downtown Louisville and the second location at 1328 Green River Rd. and Vogel Ave. in Evansville. The business closed in 2008. The collection is organized chronologically, with the bulk of the photos covering 1986-2008. There are also overarching thematic categories. The photos from the fashion shows have their own folder(s) in each year. Other annual or one-time events have fewer photos, so they are grouped together by year under "miscellaneous photos." See the finding aid (link above) for a list of which folders each theme appears in. Spring and fall fashion shows were one of Baer Fabrics' most successful series of events. Customers were invited to showcase the clothing they made in Baer Fabrics' sewing classes and workshops or made at home with materials purchased from the store. Shows were held for general fashion, prom, and bridal wear. Once a year, sewing professional Sandra Betzina hosted classes and workshops at Baer Fabrics, and these were followed by their own fashion shows. Baer Fabrics contributed to numerous charity and community groups. The photos document their collaboration with the Louisville Zoological Gardens, the Salvation Army, local quilt festivals, the Kentucky Women's Show, and a local children's mural. Because of the expertise and inventory available within Baer Fabrics, it also supported local and national educational and artistic endeavors. The photos document year-round sewing classes, the summer Camp Baer for teenagers, and classes, workshops, and fashion shows with industry specialists, including Eunice Farmer and Sandra Betzina. Baer Fabrics also supported the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Clown College. There were also several staff-related events. The photos document annual employee picnics, holiday parties, and employee recognition events alongside trade shows and business trips. The 515 East Market, Louisville, and 1328 Green River Road, Evansville, locations are well represented in the collection. When an event occurred at both locations, such as the fashion shows, the locations are marked in the folder names and/or the individual photo sleeves. The collection contains photos of storefront displays, interior displays, and remodeling at the Louisville and Evansville location. There are additional photos of older locations, usually during the move to a new location. The oldest photo in the collection is a copy from a photo held by the University of Louisville archives. It is from ca. 1905-1930 and shows Nathan Baer in one of A. Baer Co.'s original locations. Digital materials consist of a digitized video of a ca. 1994-1995 employee recognition banquet, featuring Stuart Goldberg, employees, customers, copies of photographs, and interior views of the Louisville store (item 32a), and assorted born-digital photographs of Sandra Betzina fashion shows (folder 48a). These files can only be accessed on the library computers on-site at the Filson. Related collections: Baer Fabrics manuscript collection [Mss./BB/B141] Baer Fabrics museum collection [2023.24.1-.32] Items digitized include: Folder 1: Nathan Baer behind counter, ca. 1905-1930 Folder 7: Button wall at Louisville store, 1987 Folder 7: Home sewing workshop at Louisville store, 1987 Folder 19: Stuart Goldberg giving a speech at a company event at Holiday Inn, Louisville, ca. 1990 Folder 19: Group award ceremony, possibly a Bernina sales award, ca. 1990 Folder 20: Two photos of prom dresses at the prom fashion show, Louisville, 1990 Folder 23: Wedding dress from spring fashion show, Louisville, 1991 Folder 25: Louisville store Christmas sale storefront, December 1991 Folder 25: Louisville store Christmas sale line, December 1991 Folder 25: Evansville store bridal section, July 1991 Folder 28: Runway photo from spring fashion show, Louisville, February 1993 Folder 34: Quilt, August 1995 Folder 34: Pastry box quilt, August 1995 Folder 36: Louisville storefront awning banners, 1996 Folder 36: Louisville storefront vertical awning banner, 1996 Folder 38: Button banner outside Louisville store, 1998 Folder 38: Louisville storefront vertical awning banner, 1998 Folder 39: Connie Deweese in mail order room, 1999 Folder 39: Two photos of community underpass mural, November 1999 Folder 58: First banana sale - "hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil" with bananas, ca. 1980-1987 |
Search Terms |
Advertising Clothing and dress Fashion shows Jewish families Quilts Sewing Sewing machines Small business |