Filene’s Department Store, a historic New England retailer for nearly 150 years, has donated its marketing archives to the Boston Public Library.
The archives, which contain material dating from 1851 to the present, chronicle changes in retail marketing in Boston as well as serving as a history of Filene’s. Promotional materials from the 1950’s through the 1980’s describe celebrity appearances, charity events, store openings, training programs, and marketing campaigns at its Boston and regional stores. Photographs, scrapbooks, press clippings, and videos are among the formats included. These archival materials will enhance the work done by researchers in the area of business and retail marketing history.
Check out the Special Collections website at https://archives.bpl.org/ and https://www.bpl.org/special-collections/use/research/ for information about the Archive and Special Collections and how to contact the department to access the items. They are held offsite from the Central Library where the Special Collections Reading Room is location and the items will be need to be requested in advance of your visit.
The most current and accurate Finding Guide can be found at https://archives.bpl.org/repositories/2/resources/142,
The document listed below is useful for historical purposes including a Brief History of Filene's.