The Townsend Historical Society’s vault continues to offer up some interesting, rather unique stories and items. Any ideas on what this unusual contraption might be ?
Welcome to the Platform Bag Holder! In 1907 this useful invention was patented by George H. Tenney, as “The Platform Bag Holder Company” of West Townsend, Massachusetts!
In the early 1900’s Townsend was thriving with entrepreneurs and small businesses. General Stores selling groceries and general dry goods were scattered throughout the villages of Townsend. Businesses often ran in families with sons following in the footsteps of their fathers, uncles and grandfathers. The Tenney family was one such family, and one such shopkeeper was George H. Tenney, the grandfather of Townsend’s own Betty Mae Tenney.
George H. Tenney was running his busy store in West Townsend selling groceries and small dry goods when he saw a need, and decided to invent and patent this unique design. He needed a quick and convenient way to offer his customers a paper bag, sized to their need. Hence, “The Platform Bag Holder Company” was born, and patented, on May 7, 1907. The unique design resembles a rather large mouse or rat trap, and was designed to hold paper bags secured to the wooden triangle design by strong clips. Mr Tenney could easily pull out a bag as needed, referring to his numbering system on each platform for size, and his customers could be promptly on their way.
We don’t know how many Platform Bag Holders were sold or what Mr Tenney charged for this convenience. We do know that on Feb 21, 1908 G.H.Tenney wrote a letter on his official Platform Bag Holder Company letterhead to Mr A.H. Thompson of West Groton. He was requesting dry 5/8” Chestnut wood, and inquiring about the asking price. “An early reply will greatly oblige.”
Mr Tenney’s letterhead mentions “telephone connection.” He was fortunate to have the convenience of telephone connection in his shop, which also must have been a convenience for his customers as well. Those without a phone connection could always stop by George’s store and ask to use his phone. He, like many in Townsend, were embracing new conveniences such as the telephone, electricity and indoor plumbing! The new century was poised to be an exciting time.
George Henry Tenney, was born in Townsend on May 27, 1874, the son of William Tenney, a Cooper, and Margaret Tenney. In the 1900 census George has married Ida May Blodgett and he was living and working on Main Street in West Townsend as a “Merchant in Grocery & Dry Goods”. George continued with his grocery store business and invented his Bag Holder, but his circumstances changed, and in 1920 George is working as a “Farmer, General Farm.” In 1930 George is widowed, living alone as his children have grown. He has left farming and is now working as Postmaster for the U.S. Post Office. By 1940 George has a new wife, Hazel, and he continued to work as Post Master, living on Main Street until he died in 1950. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery.
George Henry’s son, George Frederick, followed in his father’s early footsteps. He too ran a Grocery and Dry Goods store. His store was located in the building now occupied by Forest Appliances on Main Street. Now over 100 years later there is no longer a need for George H. Tenney’s Platform Bag Holder, and now folks walk about with their own telephone in their pocket and hopefully carrying their own shopping bags.