Way back in 1953 I graduated
from high school in Warrenton
and found myself on the job
market and unprepared.
For anyone in my deprived
situation there was only
one place to go and that
was Thomson Company.
I brought to the job market
only my youth, inexperience,
and an aversion to hard work.
I went to Thomson Company
to apply and saw a sign that
said "Receiving Room." In
my ignorance I thought that
was the same as Reception
Room and went all the way
around the building looking
for it. After fi nding the right
place to apply, I fi lled out an
application and waited a couple
of weeks until I was called.
They put me to work making waistbanding, which I
did for a number of years.
My fi rst supervisor was Mary
Hammond, and she was a
good one.
After what seemed like
an eternity, I became a
supervisor myself. My
department was the
commissary, or in the
vernacular,
thread room.
This
where
sorts of
items were
purchased and stored until
needed. We had buttons,
tickets, zippers, waistbanding,
and more buttons.
As the years went by,
garment industry became
more and more oriented
toward overseas labor. Cheap
labor brought the company
here in 1936. In a glacially
slow manner it went
countries like Jamaica, Haiti and Mexico.
After some 60 years in
business in Thomson, the
plant was closed.
Thomson Company people
remain bonded after all these
years.
On Friday, Aug. 13th
there will be a reunion at the
Thomson Depot of all those
who ever worked there. It
will be a covered dish supper.
Everyone who ever worked
there is invited and welcome
to bring a guest.
The time will be from 5 p.m.
until 8 p.m. Please bring any
pictures or other memorabilia
to share.
