The Woolworth Museum in Downtown Oxnard

What is believed to be the only Woolworth Museum in the world is located in the Woolworth Building (circa 1950) at 210 West Fourth Street, Oxnard. This small, unique museum contains all sorts of nostalgia associated with the F. W. Woolworth Company, one of the original "five and dime" stores.

The Woolworth Building is an 16,800 square foot building completed in 1950 that was completely redeveloped in 2003. It is now occupied by office tenants and the Fresh and Fabulous Cafe.

The museum features all sorts of items. Many are actual old items that exemplified what Woolworth's used to sell. Some items on display relate directly to this building and the people who worked there, including two managers and a woman who worked here on the first day that the store opened in 1950. There are souvenirs from the Woolworth Building in New York, which was the tallest building in the world when completed in 1913

There is a collection of books related to the Woolworth stores. There are several items from old lunch counters, including dishes and menus, as well as some items that relate directly to the pivotal Civil Rights sit-in that took place at a Woolworth Lunch Counter in 1960.

Photos of various Woolworth stores from 1878 through the 1960s are seen throughout the building. There is a working antique dial pay-phone, a take-your-own photo booth from the 1940s and games and vending machines from the 1930s through the 1960s.

David Feigin and his wife continue adding to the museum. According to Feigin, the newest addition is two antique t.v. cabinets that contain that play two different video presentations. One is an A&E Biography about F.W. Woolworth and his life, and the other is a collection of hundreds of Woolworth related images; many of stores all across the country from the 1880's through the 1990's, and others of merchandise, logos, graphics, F.W. Wooloworth and his Board of Directors, etc. Feigin notes with humor that the background music is dated, hokey and terrible.

There is a vintage cash register, like those found in most stores in the 60's and 70's, displayed so visitors can push down "No Sale" so that the cash-drawer pops open with the familiar ch-ching, bell ringing and all, and the wooden drawer can be examined and closed.

Also seen is a 1959 Cavalier 96 Coke machine, which dispenses ice cold vintage coke bottles...at a nice quite as vintage price of $1.25.

So stop by sometime! Just walk in. No attendants and no entrance fees.  Enjoy! And have lunch while you're at it!  The museum is typically open from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday.

For more information and pictures, visit thewoolworthbldg.com.

More throwback items in the men's room at the Woolworth Building. The have Boraxo soap in there too!

Comments

[Maryann]

Thank you for this great post! I recently visited the museum and was delighted with it! I'm looking forward to going back and getting a Coke out of the machine! :)