Barker, Rose & Kimball Collection, 1857-1986

Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains documents, booklets, newspaper clippings and photographs concerning Rose, Kimball & Baxter, Inc. and its various incarnations.
Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Barker, Rose & Kimball Collection contains photographs, booklets, documents, correspondence and newspaper clippings about the company and its various incarnations. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs dating from 1890 to 1986. The various documents range in date from 1857 to 1964 and include invoices, internal memos and booklets. The correspondence dates primarily from the 1940's and 1950's.

Biographical / historical:

On June 25, 1864, Miles Ayrault and Stephen Rose founded Ayrault & Rose at 14 Lake Street in Elmira, New York. There they sold hardware and mill supplies. In 1867, they changed the name to Ayrault, Rose & Co. During the 1860's the company struggled through recession and a series of fires, but still expanded the business into the wholesale hardware trade in addition retail. In 1872, Irvin D. Booth and Mr. Dounce joined to form the Booth, Dounce, Rose & Co. By 1875, Booth had left the partnership while Fred Barker joined, leaving the company as Barker, Dounce, Rose & Co. In 1888, the company became Barker, Rose & Gray and, in 1898, Arthur Clinton replaced Gray making it the Barker, Rose & Clinton Co. In 1928, Howard Kimball joined the partnership and the company became Barker, Rose & Kimball, Inc. In 1952, the name changed again to Rose, Kimball & Baxter, Inc. In 1976, the company became RKB Enterprises. In 1997, Emery-Waterhouse Company of Portland, Maine, bought the company.

Acquisition information:
The items in this collection were donated to the Booth Library by Rick and Marcia Kimball in 2007 and 2012.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The Chemung County Historical Society's research library and archives are open to the public from 1pm to 5pm, Monday through Friday. There is a $5 fee for non-members.

Location of this collection:
415 E. Water Street
Elmira, NY 14901, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
(607) 734-4167
cchs@chemungvalleymuseum.org