The Suffern Laboratory - Later Years
CP Company | The Suffern Laboratory | More Pictures of the Suffern Laboratory
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The following pictures, some never before published, depict the Suffern Laboratory at various points of time through it's long history. A very, very important point to note: there has been substantial question as to whether the Suffern Laboratory's construction was initiated in 1894/1895 or 1897. Researching the Avon Archives maintained at the Hagley Museum and Library revealed that D. H. McConnell actually set up a, "temporary quarters...for manufacturing," consisting a 1600 square foot space at an undisclosed location in Suffern, NY in 1895. According to the March 20, 1897 edition of the Nyack City and Country Newspaper, "D. H. McConnell, a resident of Suffern, New York for several years, purchased a lot from Mrs. John Turner for the purposes of erecting a building two stories high, 30 x 50 feet and frame. The building contract was let to Harley Wanamaker. The intention is to transfer McConnell's fancy soap and perfumery manufactory in New York city to this new building in Suffern."
The historical accounts presented throughout the years (including those below) have sometimes been "off" by as much as two to three years in dating.
Lastly, the original structure was razed in 1940.
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Above three pictures used by permission of the Hagley Museum and Library
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GREAT Oaks from little Acorns grow. The first home of the House of Avon was a room, 20 x 26 feet, at 126 Chambers Street in New York City. This was the office, Laboratory, shipping room—everything. It was not long before this space was insufficient. More space was added, until six floors were being used. In 1894, the first Laboratory was built in Suffern, New York, a very modern building for that time, with all the latest improvements. It was a three story building, 40 feet wide and 50 feet long. In 1896, an addition was added onto the back of this building, making the laboratory 100 feet long. In 1899 a brick building was added 100 by 50 feet. In 1904, another addition to the Laboratory was necessary. In 1909 the office was moved to larger quarters at 31 Park Place. This same year a four story addition was made to the Laboratory. Each time an addition was made the most up to date equipment known at that time was installed. Shortly after this, another floor in the New York office was taken. In 1915 the CPC Products, as they were then known, were awarded the Gold Medal at the Panama Pacific Exposition. The Gold Medal meant as much in those days as the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval means now. War was declared in 1917, and of course many of our men served in the army or navy. Business forged ahead, and soon after, the shipping room in New York was moved to Suffern, from where the Representatives east of the Mississippi and south of Canada are now served. In 1922 the first of the buildings now considered really modern was erected, of steel and glass and concrete. Much of the modern equipment is of our own design, and is the wonder and envy of other manufacturers in the industry. 1925 saw the need for yet another addition, a great :four story modern building. In 1926 the office was moved to 114 Fifth Avenue, our present address. In 1934 the seventh, and last addition to the laboratory was erected. This gives the factory 127,000 square feet of space. We own the land around me buildings, however, and have plenty of room for more buildings, when they are needed. The people who write up the 100th Anniversary will smile at us, of 1936 who thought the plant was large, just as we smile sympathetically at the small beginnings down on Chambers Street in 1886! However, will those people who read this OUTLOOK in 1986 please note, we feel, in 1936 that this is only a beginning? Above picture and article are from the Avon's 50th Year Celebration Outlook, June 1936 |
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Verbiage from the Post Card: This is the world's largest cosmetics laboratory and the home of Avon cosmetics, toiletries and perfume. Distributed throughout the United States and Canada for over 52 years by representatives calling at your home. Photograph and excerpt from a Double-width Post Card, c. 1958 |
CP Company | The Suffern Laboratory | More Pictures of the Suffern Laboratory