Miss Becky's Store

Miss Becky's Store. . In 1915, Dryden Grocery opened its doors at this location. Although the store here today is not the original building, it was owned and operated by the Dryden family until the museum purchased it in 2003. The store was run by Mrs. Rebecca Freeman Dryden. The name Dryden Grocery was too formal for such a homey place so patrons referred to it as Miss Becky's. The one room store had a collection of miscellaneous staples cluttering the shelves. From soap and dish detergent to empty soda bottles and old lard tins for "salting fish". When not waiting on customers, Miss Becky could be found sitting in her rocking chair next to the coal stove reading or piecing quilts. The empty bushel baskets stacked in the corner would be used to display fresh vegetables harvested from the fields her son plowed and planted behind her farm house. After purchasing the store, the museum completely renovated the interior of the store to its original glory, carefully replacing each shelf and counter in its original location.