The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History recently announced an “exciting and significant addition to its collection,” comprised of “artifacts and historical treasures from the renowned Leonard’s Department Store.”
Leonard’s Department Store was founded in 1918 by brothers Marvin and Obadiah Leonard and would later grow into a massive store spanning seven city blocks, selling a wide variety of products such as household items, farming equipment, furniture, clothes, and more. The store was known for its Christmas window displays that attracted visitors from around the region.
In 1967, the store was sold to the Tandy Corporation and then to Dillard’s Department Stores in 1974.
Marty Leonard, daughter of Marvin Leonard, created the Leonard’s Department Store Museum to preserve the store’s items and legacy, starting with a 1936 Leonard’s Speedster wagon.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History describes Leonard’s Museum as a “testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and community engagement that defined the Leonard brothers and their iconic store.” The museum said that it is honored to be entrusted with the care and preservation of the collection.
“By transitioning these artifacts to our collection, we aim to ensure that the legacy of Leonard’s Department Store continues to inspire and educate future generations. Thanks to a generous endowment from Marty Leonard, the Leonard’s collection will be cared for by a part-time collections coordinator,” said the museum in a news release. “Visitors will soon have the opportunity to explore the rich history of Leonard’s and its integral role in the life of Fort Worth throughout the 20th century.”
“I can say this without bragging because I didn’t have anything to do with it,” Marty Leonard told the Fort Worth Report, “but Leonard’s was a place where people gathered for all kinds of reasons — not just to shop.”
Regina Faden, president of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, said that she is excited to keep the memory of the store alive and share its history with this new collection.
“We are … the comprehensive Fort Worth history museum. Leonard’s had a huge impact on the community, not just in retail, but also the way it built these relationships with everybody who lived in town,” said Faden, per the FWR. “So, I think that if we’re the repository for the cultural heritage here, that’s a major part of it. … It made sense for us.”
