Ferrante Dress Factory – Presentation Video and References

An Italianate villa stands alone in a field in the Sourland Mountains above Hopewell Borough.

This was the home of the The Ferrante family, who immigrated from Italy in 1914 and set up in the garment business in the Bronx. They came to Hopewell in 1934, built this house, and a since-demolished factory behind for their dress manufacturing business.

== More on the history of The Ferrante Dress Factory ==

About the Presentation

In this talk, Doug Dixon investigates the history behind these mysteries, using public records and family photos to reveal a quintessential early 20th century Hopewell story: a young family – first-generation Italian immigrants – who came to Hopewell seeking both a good home for their family and a supportive environment for their entrepreneurial spirit.

We’ll also explore the larger social and business context for this small company, including the evolution of women’s dresses, the process of manufacturing dresses, and the impact of world events and government regulation.