Waddell Family and Company will be topic of Greenfield Historical Society's Spring Tea
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After a fire burned his business in Chillicothe, John F. Waddell loaded his family on a B&O train and moved to the little town of Greenfield. Little did he know how that move would affect his new hometown. One of his sons, John M. Waddell, would later begin the John M. Waddell Company, later known as the Waddell Wooden Ware Works, makers of wooden products that would be sold all across the country.
Some of the first products that Waddell manufactured were coffee grinders and rat traps. Later, the company expanded their products to include egg testers, hammocks cash registers, discount wheels, games and even phonographs. The final products and the most lucrative were store showcases and post office furniture. The showcase line was the main line for Waddell until 1986 when the company was sold to Ghent Manufacturing of Lebanon, who continues production in Greenfield today.
John F. Waddell will visit the Greenfield Historical Society's annual Spring Tea on April 10. On that day, Eric Salyer, noted Greenfield actor, will bring Mr. Waddell to life as he hosts the event to be held in the Konneker Education Museum at 245 South Street in Greenfield. Salyer will be joined by his sons, Nathan and Aidan, who will be playing the parts of George and Dean Waddell, John F. Waddell's grandsons.
There will be two seatings for the event, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $10 and will go on sale March 28 at the Home Building & Loan, 355 Jefferson Street in Greenfield. Tickets at the door will be $12. All seats are reserved as there is limited space. For more information, call 937-981-2905.[[In-content Ad]]
Some of the first products that Waddell manufactured were coffee grinders and rat traps. Later, the company expanded their products to include egg testers, hammocks cash registers, discount wheels, games and even phonographs. The final products and the most lucrative were store showcases and post office furniture. The showcase line was the main line for Waddell until 1986 when the company was sold to Ghent Manufacturing of Lebanon, who continues production in Greenfield today.
John F. Waddell will visit the Greenfield Historical Society's annual Spring Tea on April 10. On that day, Eric Salyer, noted Greenfield actor, will bring Mr. Waddell to life as he hosts the event to be held in the Konneker Education Museum at 245 South Street in Greenfield. Salyer will be joined by his sons, Nathan and Aidan, who will be playing the parts of George and Dean Waddell, John F. Waddell's grandsons.
There will be two seatings for the event, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $10 and will go on sale March 28 at the Home Building & Loan, 355 Jefferson Street in Greenfield. Tickets at the door will be $12. All seats are reserved as there is limited space. For more information, call 937-981-2905.[[In-content Ad]]