Collection IDMG Nwk Hahne

Size26 volumes

Collection Description Julius Hahne and Adam Block founded Hahne and Company in Newark, in 1858. Beginning as a "specialty store," it grew into a full-service department store and eventually opened a number of branches. By 1897, Hahne was quoted as saying his Newark store was "bigger by six times than the next biggest store in New Jersey.... [W]e cover seven acres, with 300,000 feet of shopping space, have 100 departments, employ 1,200 people and 75 delivery wagons." Hahne's store at Broad and New Street, built in 1901, was the first commercial building in Newark to be built as a department store.

In 1911 an even larger Hahne's building, designed by architect Goldwin Starrett, opened at 609 Broad Street and was publicized as New Jersey's finest department store. Within a few years ownership of the store passed from the Hahne family to R. H. Macy. In 1933, Hahne's was sold again, to the New York-based Associated Dry Goods Corporation.

The Hahne's store in Newark was closed in 1987. Although the palatial building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, it remained vacant for 30 years. Eventually it was renovated through a public-private partnership to house apartments, retail businesses, and space used by Rutgers University.

Collection Contents The collection consists of 24 account books and 2 payroll books recording the general expenses of Hahne and Co.

FormatTextual materials

SubjectsBusiness / Commerce; Finance / Taxation

Time Periods19th Century; 20th Century

LanguageEnglish

Access policyOpen for research

Finding AidYes