On Aug. 20, 1954, Maurine Cook opened a women’s fashion store in Auburn. The driven entrepreneur had previously managed four apparel stores in the Bay Area for H.C. Capwells & Co. before starting her own business.
Cook explored various communities throughout northern California looking for the right fit for her fashion store and then she discovered Auburn. She was hooked by the charm of the historic gold rush city and knew this was where her business could flourish.
Quickly she became an important part of the community, as her business was popular with Auburn residents. She also regularly hosted fashion shows to benefit local charities and clubs.
Cook had the heart of a preservationist and joined efforts to protect, restore and interpret the region’s history. She was a lifetime member of the Placer County Historical Museum Foundation, which was created to raise funds to restore the Bernhard House and turn it into a museum.
Maurine’s Dress Shop operated successfully for 30 years when she finally decided to retire. In the twilight of her life, preserving history was still a passion and she donated several items to multiple Placer County Museums, many of which are on display in various rooms of the Bernhard Museum.
Maurine Cook died in 1987 and is buried in the New Auburn Cemetery.
From our Collection: Silver Brush Set donated by Maurine Cook, c. 1900 (on display at the Bernhard Museum)
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