Marriage in the 1920's
Albert Stillburg married Mildred Reese on July 6th, 1921. According to data from the National Vital Statistics "100 Years of Marriage and Divorce Statistics United States, 1867-1967", marriage was at a high in 1920 at a rate of 92.3% but by 1930, had dropped to 67.8%. During the 1920's America had a decrease in marriages and an increase in divorces.
Founded in 1870, C.R. Gibson was originally the John Gibson Company. They sold baby and bridal books among other literary items.
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A sweet remembrance of Mildred. Albert and Mildred were married for over 40 years. The dollar is a series 1963. Can you spot the differences from a modern dollar bill?
Mildred's Purse
This 1920's Art Deco silver mesh purse belonged to Mildred. About the size of one's hand, this purse had a more decorative, stylish function than practical. Notice the personalization of the purse. This purse signifies the age of the flappers, with changes in women's fashion.
A Letter to her Parents
Below is a letter Jean wrote to her parents while they were away on vacation. Read the letter and see what Jean thought was important enough to update her parents on while they were away. Boggs and Buhls was a department store close to her house. For a picture of the six story building, click here. Notice that it is speculated that the department store closed in 1958 due to the owner not outfitting the store with air condition due to it not be economically feasible!
Dear Santa
Jean would have written this letter in 1929 at the age of seven. Kauffmans was another department store in Pittsburgh, founded in 1871 by Jacob and Isaac Kaufmann.
Dear Santa Claus
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I am a little girl seven years old and have a little sister Nancy three years old. I would like ____ a tree baby dollar a little house for Christmas. Nancy wants a baby doll and everything you have that would be nice.
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For a little girl
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With love
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Jean Ann
Stock Market Crash Leads to Arrest in LA
Do you remember Frederick Stillburg? In the 1920's, Frederick invested in the stock market. After the Stock Market Crash of 1929, Frederick lost everything. Although why he was in California is not known, family lore concludes that Albert had to go and bring Frederick back from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh costing the family an absorbent amount of money that they could hardly afford. He lived with Albert and his family for the rest of his life, not working, and is said to have never been the same.
Saving Money during the Great Depression
While the Stillburgs' were able to keep their house and Albert was able to keep his job, if only working every other week, the Great Depression was a financially hard time for the family just like many other American families. The family saved whatever money they could. Below are two examples of how Jean specifically saved money. These little booklets were given out by associations such as the Pittsburgh Home Savings and Loan Association as a way to save money (and market their businesses). Notice the slogan "The Easiest Way to Save a Dollar is First to Save the Dimes."
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Jean also had a piggy bank, that was a replica of the Dollar Savings Bank on Fourth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. In 1931, $1 million in cash was brought into the first floor of the bank to show the customers that their money was there and available. The Bank never closed during the Great Depression.
Notice the address 438 Wood Street on the front and back covers of the booklets. Interestingly, Joseph Stillburg's architectural firm was located at 421 Wood Street. Wood Street is located in the heart of Pittsburgh.
