Inside the Stieff factory
800 Wyman Park Driveway
The Stieff Company, under the leadership of Gideon N. Stieff as President blossomed after the first World War. The “Roaring Twenties” brought wealth and opulence to many families. In 1925 Stieff opened a new factory to replace the crowded but only 12 year old structure at 311-313 Redwood.
The first series of photos shown below are from the later 1920’s as reflected in the manner of dress. I am not sure if these are prior to the 1928 start of the addition of a second story on the Stieff building or not. Note the large windows to provide natural light for the workers. In most of the photos, the work stations seem to be placed close to the large windows.
I found all of these photos while searching the files at
The Baltimore Museum of Industry in October 2010.
Most are wearing ties. I can understand why the man with the torch would not wear one.
All are men, and all are wearing ties and some in vest and jackets. This was a coveted position.
The finishing Dept. is where silver flatware would be cleaned and polished. Note that most of the men are fairly young. This is where you started.. and worked your way up the ladder.
Like the Chasing Dept. the men here are quite a bit older. This is important work.. and very detailed. Note that the men are nicely spread apart, allowing for lots of elbow room. An “oops” here and the piece goes into the scrap pile.
These photos are from the Baltimore Museum of Industry. They and other important artifacts and records of The Stieff Company were donated to the museum when Kirk-Stieff operations left Baltimore in 2000. I thank the museum for allowing me unlimited access to the records.
A similar series of photos of Kirk-Stieff factory workers taken in the 1980’s can be found by clicking on the photo below.
The Stieff Company provided lunch for the workers in the factory. The photo below, taken in the employee dining room was a special occasion. This was the 50th Anniversary party for Stieff Silversmith William P. Bach
As you face the building, the dining room was on the second floor, far left.
This photo was taken May 10th 1947, meaning that Mr. Bach had started in 1897 when the company was still the Balt. Sterling Silver Co. The Stieff dining room was on the second floor of the building. In the back row, standing all the way to the left are two men. On the left is Charlie Scott, the factory driver, who delivered items to the stores or to private homes. The other taller man is Al Garrett, Gideon Stieff’s (President) personal driver. (Al had two thumbs on one of his hands) Mr. Stieff’s son, Rodney Stieff (later President & Chairman) tells me that the flatware used in the employee dining room was not Stieff sterling silver.
The above and below photos are courtesy of Rodney and Dottie Stieff
This undated photo is not from the factory but it does tie into the photo above
50th anniversary party for Beulah.
This event was held at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. The fashions appear to be from the mid 1950s. Beulah was a “wrapper” in the Liberty Street store. Rodney Stieff tells me that when a purchase was made... the item was sent up to the second floor via a dumbwaiter to Beulah. There she would box and wrap the silver and then send it back downstairs to the showroom.
At the head table (L-R) are Dottie & Rodney Stieff, Claire & Gideon Stieff Sr., Beulah, Gideon & Anne Stieff, Charles & Priscilla Stieff and a man presumed to be Beulah’s son or possibly Beulah’s minister.
(Charles C. Stieff II reports that many employees invited their ministers to this type of event)
The Liberty Street store was closed by the early 1950s, I do not know where Beulah was working at the time of her 50th Anniversary. Possibly at the Belvedere Store which replaced the Liberty street store.
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