Sumner Hosiery Mill Records

Object Details

Topic: advertising; Hosiery, Nylon; Hosiery; Textile industry; Fashion; Knitting companies (Mills)

Provenance: Collection was donated to the Archives Center, national Museum of American History by Harold Townsend Sumner on February 9, 2000.

Summary: The collection documents Sumner Hosiery Mill through articles, newspaper clippings, publications, advertisements, and photographs.

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.

Type: Collection descriptions; Archival materials; Advertisements; Photographs; Articles; Scrapbooks

Citation: Sumner Hosiery Mill Records, 1946-1957, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Rights: 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.

Genre/Form: Advertisements -- 20th century; Photographs -- 20th century; Articles; Scrapbooks -- 20th century

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.

Restrictions: 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. `

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.