Washington in Warren County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mary Catherine Phillips

Women’s Heritage Trail

— Consumer’s Research —

Mary Catherine Phillips Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 4, 2016

1. Mary Catherine Phillips Marker

Inscription. Mary Catherine Phillips, consumer advocate, author, and editor, joined Consumer’s Research, a New York-based organization, in 1932. She married one of its founders, Frederick Schlink, that same year. One year later, the entire operation relocated to New Jersey. Phillips became a member of the Board of Directors, serving between 1934 and 1980. Along with Board Member J. B. Matthews, she was a major influence on Schlink and ultimately on the ideology of Consumers’ Research. By 1935, the organization had more than 50,000 subscribers and nearly 80 employees. In addition to her role as an integral part of managing the organization, she specialized in the testing of consumer beauty products and wrote about it in her book Skin Deep: The Truth about Beauty Aids. In 1935, a group of disgruntled employees split and formed Consumers Union and moved to Washington, D.C. where they went on to publish Consumer Reports, the publication still in existence. The Bowerstown facility’s function then became predominantly a laboratory for testing products.

“The aim of the organization (Consumer’s Research) is to provide a clearing-house

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where information of importance to consumers may be assembled, edited and promulgated; and to develop an art and a science of consumption by the use of which ultimate consumers may defend themselves against the aggressions of advertising and salesmanship.”—Taken from Mary Catherine Phillip’s book, Skin Deep: The Truth about Beauty Aids.

(Inscription in the two boxes on the right) (Top box)
Mary Catherine Phillips was a major influence on the ideology and management of Consumer’s Research. Because of her integral role to Women’s work in New Jersey, Ms. Phillips is on the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail.

(Bottom box)
The New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail highlights a collection of historic sites located around the state that represent the significant contributions women made to the history of our state. The Heritage Trail brings to life the vital role of women in New Jersey’s past and present.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 4, 2016

2. Mary Catherine Phillips Marker

series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 40° 46.289′ N, 74° 59.946′ W. Marker is in Washington, New Jersey, in Warren County. It is on Bowerstown Road. The marker is on the grounds of Warren Hills Regional Board of Education-District Offices. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 89 Bowerstown Road, Washington NJ 07882, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Revolutionary Artillery Site (approx. 1.8 miles away); Morris Canal (approx. 1.9 miles away); St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Historic Second Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); Oxford Furnace #1

Former Consumer's Research Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 4, 2016

3. Former Consumer's Research Building

(approx. 2.2 miles away); Oxford Furnace (approx. 2.2 miles away); Grist Mill (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

Sign at the entrance to the former Consumer Research Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 4, 2016

4. Sign at the entrance to the former Consumer Research Building

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,057 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.