Shopping isn't just different from 1947, so is parenting.

An article was posted in the local Facebook Group, 'You Know You're From Freeport, Pownal or Durham If...' The article was written by Mrs. Andrew Allen. That pretty much sets the tone. Heading into the '50s, this article is as sexist as it comes. The woman who wrote the article never identified herself except as Mrs. Andrew Allen. The good wife.

Newspaper Clipping: Dec. 18, 1947
Newspaper Clipping: Dec. 18, 1947
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Newspaper Clipping: Dec. 18, 1947
Newspaper Clipping: Dec. 18, 1947
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There was one thing Mrs. Allen pointed out that is still true to this day. She left Portland to try Freeport to finish her Christmas shopping. She mentioned that the only thing Freeport didn't have was,

...difficult parking and time consuming crowds.

She pointed out that The Men's Store had a gift certificate for a Stetson hat. That is something you would only shop for in 1947. When describing the selection of toys, it was evident that back in 1947 they were only aware of two genders and they were very defined.

Fish's seems to cater especially to the little girl - doll house, furniture, kitchen stoves, ironing boards - everything a girl needs to set up housekeeping in a small way are to be found here.

So, if the girls get ironing boards, what do boys get for Christmas?

...sleds, scooters, skis, bicycles, electric trains, etc...

Hey, it was 1947 - but that's not the shocking part. It's the part about what this woman did with her 2-year-old when she went shopping!

Newspaper Clipping: Dec. 18, 1947
Newspaper Clipping: Dec. 18, 1947
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She left her two-year-old in the car and went shopping for 20 minutes. Left the kid in the car and then wrote about it? Well, here's my advice. Don't get your little girl an ironing board for Christmas and do NOT leave them in your car when you shop. Other than that, Freeport is an awesome place to shop.

 

 

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