When and Where Did this Store Open?

If you think you know the answer or have a special memory related to the photo, respond in the "Leave a comment" box below this article. We'll run the answer next Monday, along with a new historical photo. The image has been provided by the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society. For more information on the museum's collection and programs, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org.

Last week's question was "What Are These Women Doing?" Either this one was easier than expected, or there are just some very astute readers in West Hartford.

The first few commenters thought these women were switchboard/telephone operators. David Whall got very close to the complete answer with his guess: "These are telephone operators, circa 1930, I should think. This is a small exchange, and the writing on the chalk board along with the note pads offers some good hints on its purpose. My guess is this is the switchboard exchange of a grocery store where people could call in their orders and schedule a home delivery. Sort of like an early Peapod!"

Tom Hine nailed it. "Burnham's Grocery store operators in West Hartford Center (across from Town Hall)," was his comment.

The answer provided by the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society is: "This is the main office of the Burnham store, once located on Main Street. In the early years, Burnham’s offered delivery twice a week. As telephone orders increased so did the delivery service and eventually the store operated 10 delivery trucks. At its height, Burnham’s employed 80 people."