Unearthed Stories: Almonte, SMO, and the Shopping Cart

Program Type:

Arts & Crafts, Cultural Experiences, Displays & Exhibits, Museums at MLS

Age Group:

All Ages

Event Description

How did Almonte Library get its name?  Why “Almonte”?  It’s all thanks to Sylvan Goldman, the inventor of the shopping cart!  Born in Oklahoma, Sylvan Goldman owned OKC’s Humpty Dumpty Grocery chain.  Seeing his customers' struggle, he created the first shopping cart in 1937.  That original shopping cart is now part of Science Museum Oklahoma’s collections.  The Goldman’s owned multiple shopping centers in OKC.  One of the first was Almonte Shopping Center, named for sons “AL”fred and “MONTE” Goldman.  That was Almonte Library’s original home and gave us our name! 

As part of Summer Reading 2026, Almonte Library is proud to partner with Science Museum Oklahoma to “unearth the story” of Sylvan Goldman.  Get a sneak peek at SMO’s behind-the-scenes collections in a recorded interview AND decorate a shopping cart to honor this unearthed hidden history!