Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Mrs. Springer Memoranda Book must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Mrs. Springer Memoranda Book, Ms2011-025, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Mrs. Springer Memoranda Book was purchased by Special Collections in 2011.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Mrs. Springer Memoranda Book was completed in March 2011.

Biographical Note

Anthony Rosenstock was born in Melsungen, Hessen-Nassau (present day Germany), on October 22, 1833. He immigrated to the United States on November 1, 1853, arriving in New York City a month later. He reportedly arrived with just 3¢ and a letter of introduction to the brother-in-law of a Kentucky relation. In 1855, he and his brother-in-law, Meyer Stern, opened Stern and Rosenstock, a dry goods business, which later dissolved in 1857.

Rosenstock relocated to Petersburg, Virginia, where his sister owned a millinery business. He opened his first dry goods store, Temple of Fancy, in December 1858, and the next year established A. Rosenstock & Co., one of the first department stores in Virginia. By 1863, the Civil War had forced him to close the business, and he became involved with running the federal blockade of Virginia's coast.

Rosenstock was a leader in both the business and the Jewish communities in Petersburg. Rosenstock was an original stockholder and later director of the National Bank of Petersburg, a founding director of the Petersburg Telephone Company, and a director of the Bond and Equity Company. Rosenstock became a naturalized citizen on June 17, 1869. He brought members of his extended family to the United States, including Isaac, Lewis, and Benjamin Stern, who established Stern Brothers, a department store in New York City that eventually became part of Macy's. Rosenstock died on December 17, 1906, in Petersburg.

No biographical information is available on Mrs. Springer.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a memorandum book presented by A. Rosenstock of Petersburg, Virginia, which includes ads and information about the store. The book was used by Mrs. Springer, probably of Washington County, VA, to record several pages of personal notes dealing with expenses. There is also a scrap of paper with writing on it.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Women -- History