Bartow History Museum: History of Rich's Department Store

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History of Rich’s Department Store

On Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m., Bartow History Museum welcomes guest speaker Jeff Clemmons, author of Rich’s: A Southern Tradition.  Clemmons, a native of Alabama, has lived and worked in the Atlanta area for 29 years.  In addition to his historic research and career in public relations, he creates and leads tours for the Atlanta Preservation Center.

For nearly 138 years, Rich’s grew to become a treasured establishment in Atlanta and beyond.  What began as a small dry goods store would become a retail giant consisting of numerous stores, bakeries, boutiques, schools, a foundation, and more.  Clemmons will discuss the rich history of Rich’s including the store, Penelope Penn, Fashionata, The Great Tree, the Pink Pig, Rich’s famous coconut cake, Richway, and how events at the downtown store helped John F. Kennedy become the 35^th president. 

Rich’s: A Southern Tradition will soon enter its 4^th printing in just over two years.  It also led to a six-month exhibit called “Return to Rich’s: The Story Behind the Store” at Atlanta’s Bremen Museum in 2013-2014.  Following the lecture, Clemmons will sign copies of his book which will be available in the museum Gift Shop.

The Evening Lecture will take place at the Bartow History Museum located at 4 E. Church Street in downtown Cartersville.  Parking is available next to the building.  The lecture is free to members and included with the price of admission for not-yet members. For more information on this and other BHM programs, call 770-382-3818, ext. 6286 or visit our website at www.bartowhistorymuseum.org.