Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Sumner Hosiery Mill Records

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0719
Creators:
Sumner, Harold Townsend
Sumner Hosiery Mill
Dates:
1946-1957
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
The collection documents Sumner Hosiery Mill through articles, newspaper clippings, publications, advertisements, and photographs.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of one scrapbook (16" x 18" pages), from 1946 to 1957, documenting Sumner Hosiery Mill through articles, newspaper clippings, publications, advertisements, and photographs. There is one product booklet, Sumner See-Shells, Fall and Winter Shades, 1952 with samples of hosiery.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into one series.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Harold Sumner, along with his brother Hubert, founded Sumner Hosiery Mill in Gastonia, North Carolina in 1946. The Sumner's joined a booming hosiery business and with their Government Issue (G.I) priority status (Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944), they ordered two hosiery machines. The machines were set-up in the Wisteria Hosiery Mill, but were moved in 1947 to create the Sumner Hosiery Mill. The Sumner's distinguished themselves from other hosiery mills by introducing colorful innovations and styles that were created to match shoes and outfits. In 1957, Sumner Hosiery sold their machines and shipped them to Chile.

Administration

Author
Alison Oswald
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection was donated to the Archives Center, national Museum of American History by Harold Townsend Sumner on February 9, 2000.
Separated Materials
Samples of Sumner Hosiery were donated to the Division of Social History(now the Division of Home and Community Life, now Division of Cultural and Community Life), National Museum of American History.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Alison Oswald, undated.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270. `
Preferred Citation
Sumner Hosiery Mill Records, 1946-1957, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hosiery, Nylon Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hosiery Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Textile industry Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Articles Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fashion Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Knitting companies (Mills) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scrapbooks -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu