Reed General Store (ca. 1873)
Reed General Store (ca. 1873)
The Reed General Store was built in Woodside, Delaware (ca. 1873) by John and Jane Reed. The store represents the type and style of country stores found throughout the Peninsula during the late 19th century. At or about 1900, the Reed's turned over operation of the store to their daughter Mary Jane and son-in-1aw Phillip Jenkins.
When Mary Jane and Phillip retired, their son Glancy Jenkins and his wife Elsie became the store's owners. The store was closed upon Elsie Jenkins' death in March 1988. With its 115 year run, the Reed (Jenkins) General Store is believed to be the longest continually operating country store in Delaware.
The one and a half story building has undergone little change during its nearly 150 year existence. The building has been restored and furnished to reflect a late nineteenth century country store. Jewelry, candies, tobacco, notions, threads, medicines, and spices are displayed on the shelves and counters evoke memories
of a simpler time. A bench on the front porch and chairs placed near the stove remind visitors of the social importance the country store played. Such items as lanterns, dippers, pails, and rug beaters hang from the ceiling while tin advertising signs decorate the walls. Rakes, hoes, scythes and other farm tools are "for sale" in the back room.
The Jenkins family heirs, Grace Carey and Kensil Rash, donated the store to the Museum. The building was moved to the Ag Museum grounds in August 1988.