Moore-Kidder Block

In 1894, the Moore and Kidder block was erected on Elm Street on a lot formerly owned by the Hutchinson family—long-time owners of 1 The Green (Hutchinson House/The White Cupboard). When the Gillingham block, erected in 1810 by Titus Hutchinson was sold in 1860, the family had retained the right up to its southern end wall and hence the new block built on land purchased from the Hutchinsons became an extension of the first building. The principals in this new enterprise were W. H. H. Moore, a local jeweler and Frederick Kidder, the doctor whose home was at 29 Elm Street. Each of them moved into part of the building when it was opened late in 1894.

Announcement of the Moore Kidder enterprise began in the March 22, 1894 issue of The Vermont Standard.

March 22, 1894, The Vermont Standard:

Dr. F. T. Kidder has purchased a site on the Hutchinson place, Elm Street, to erect a two story business block; and the work will be commencing as soon as the ground is in suitable condition. Horace C. Lockwood is to construct the foundation and Austin Abbott will have charge of the carpenter work. The block is to have a frontage of 38 feet and a depth of 45 feet, and will stand close to the south end of the Hatch block. It is to have a balloon frame with brick facing. The ground floor is to be one step above the sidewalk and divided into two stores with single light plate glass windows. A stairway will rise between these rooms up the front center. The upper floor will finished with rooms on each side, suitable for offices, with closets between in the rear portion of the block, beyond the stair landing. Dr. Kidder expects to appropriate one of these offices for his own use. The block will make quite an addition to the business section of the village and citizens will be glad to see it rise.

March 29, 1894, The Vermont Standard:

We have learned since last week that the new business block to be erected on Elm Street is to be the property of W.H.H. Moore and Dr. F. T. Kidder, who are to be equal owners, and that both proprietors will move their business headquarters into the block. Dr. Kidder into one of the second story suites, and Mr. Moore, his jewelry business into the store at the south end of the block. The business location will be one of the finest in the village hence these gentlemen and their tenants will be adventitiously situated. Mr. Moore being senior partner by virtue of years, the building would naturally be known as the Moore-Kidder block.

On April 12th, Horace C. Lockwood began breaking ground for the Moore-Kidder enterprise; by May the foundation was finished and work on the frame had begun.  A month later the frame had been completed and boarded, iron posts running to the second story were in place and the masons had begun on the brick work. By June 28th,  The Vermont Standard reported that Peter Gobie and his men, Jasper Perkins of Bridgewater and Dennis Flowers of Hartland had completed the brick work.

The interior work seems to have taken longer. W. H. H. Moore was installed in his new business block at the end of November.

November 15, 1894, The Vermont Standard:

Several of our business men will feel much relieved when they get settled in permanent quarters. Among those gentlemen are W. H. H. Moore who expects his store fittings in time to get moved next week into Moore & Kidder block; F. J. Simmons, who will immediately rush the changes preparatory to occupying the store to be vacated by Mr. Moore; F. B. Wentworth, who is patiently waiting for Mr. Simmons’ present quarters, and Royal Adams, who hopes to set up next week in his own premises (the Blossom block so called).

Earlier The Vermont Standard reported:

R. L. Adams is practically making a new store in the block purchased by him from Charles Blossom. Messrs E. C. and Hermon Howes are at work moving stairways, making drug drawers and shelves...

November 29, 1894, The Vermont Standard:

W.H.H. Moore moved Monday to his new store in the Moore and Kidder block…Mr. Moore certainly is to be congratulated upon the style is not “loud,” but elegant, substantial and harmonizing well with the soft tints of wall and ceiling. The rear end of the room is separated for a safe and work cabinet by a high oak trellis of light and tasteful design; of show cases there are plenty, seventeen inches in depth, with heavy plate glass fronts and finished in oak like the counters upon which they rest. Along each side of the room extend two large oak wall cases, also of solid oak surmounted by modest ornamentation of the same sort. The plate glass fronts of these are fitted with balance weights, so that they slide upward with the least possible friction. Each case rests upon a substantial looking oak base in which are drawers and cupboards. At the center of each side is a full-length bevelled mirror against the wall and separating the cases. At evening time the store is brilliantly lighted by electricity, anad at any time it presents an appearance of which Mr. Moore might well be proud. Not all of his new goods have arrived, but he is doing business there, and we submit that his stock of jewelry etc, has a most elegant and appropriate setting.

Three weeks later the Standard noted,

Despite the financial depression elsewhere, Woodstock is touched with the impulse of progress.  W.H. H. Moore’s new stock is elaborate in respect of its wide variety, its genuine worth and the excellent taste in selections. There are large values and exquisite designs in cut glass and sterling silver ware especially; and the prices—well put on your “specs” and see them.

A tenant on the north side of the Moore-Kidder block was George R. Winslow who, after working many years for Franklin Billings, had bought out Burdett’s book store.

December 20, 1894, The Vermont Standard

G. R. Winslow is one of the younger business men, but he has “caught on,” and is in at the front. Books, stationery, etc. are staple goods with him, but he has a special line of standard works in a variety of novel and attractive bindings, bargains at the miniature prices quoted, and very appropriate to the season… 

G. R. Winslow had opened a book and novelty shop of sorts in 1928 and was called Winslow’s Clover Gift Shop. The name was eventually changed to the Clover Gift Shop. After George’s death, his widow Mae Winslow, ran the store for many years. To this day, the Clover Gift Shop resembles the description of W. H. H. Moore’s jewelry store. In fact, many Woodstock merchants in the 1890’s decorated or redecorated using the services of the Whipple Company from Lebanon. That company seems to have specialized in the sort of interior described in Moore’s.

Interior of Winslow’s Clover

Gift Shop

Looking westerly towards the Village Square and beyond.

Left to Right: Hutchinson House, Mt. Tom, Richmond barn, livery stable, Hatch/Gillingham Block. Photo taken before the Moore-Kidder Block is built in 1894.

You can see the sign for W.H.H. Moore’s jewelry store on the wall on the left of the photograph. The sign has a watch as its symbol.

A 1950’s view of businesses on Elm Street.