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Teach PA History
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John Wanamaker and his "New Kind of Store"
Background Information for Teachers

Before teaching this lesson, it is highly recommended that you preview the following Student Handouts for valuable background information:
Student Handout 1-John Wanamaker and his "New Kind of Store": This includes information on Wanamaker's beginnings, a list of retail marketing "firsts," a description of the historical change in shopping experiences, as well as a description of Wanamaker's Grand Depot which opened March 12, 1876 in Philadelphia.

Student Handout 3-Working at Wanamakers: This handout discusses the working experience of those employed by Wanamaker. In general, Wanamaker was progressive in providing many workers benefits compared to other employers of his day. However, the handout also covers some of the challenges and setbacks his workers might have faced as well.

Web Sites

Evolution of the Department Store http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/soc/shoppingcenter4.html

This website page provides a timeline of the evolution of department stores, which includes the creation of John Wanamaker's Grand Depot. A variety of pictures of Wanamaker and his store are available at this website. Furthermore, several links are also available to other pages which describe in greater detail the history of specific department stores or the development of "mass consumption" within the United States, which helped make these stores so profitable.

Friends of the Wanamaker Organ http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/johnw.html

The pipe organ which Wanamaker placed in his department store is a National Historical Landmark and boasts books and a supportive organization of its own. This website, Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, provides the user with excellent biographical information on the merchant and explores successful characteristics Wanamaker exhibited early in his childhood.

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