C.C. Lowell art supplies and picture framing.

We are America's Oldest Art Supply Store!

How did it get the name, C.C. Lowell, anyway?

C.C. Lowell has many distinguishing attributes... We are a sole-owner, art supply and picture framing business in Worcester MA and have been here for 152 years. C.C. Lowell proudly boasts it's status as the oldest art supply store in the country!

The story begins in 1852. The store was founded by Mr. O.C. White selling paint and art supplies. Later the business was sold to Charles C. Lowell (C.C. Lowell, get it!) , an employee of Mr. White. In the early 1900's, it moved to Pearl St.(when the business actually sold gasoline for the new invention called the automobile!). In 1957 the business moved to Mechanic St until 1973. In addition to retail sales, C.C. Lowell had a large wholesale paint business in central Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, and southern New Hampshire.

The store remained in the family of the Lowell's until the mid 1960's. From 1964 until 1987, C.C. Lowell was owned by different partnerships of 3 to 7 people who had been employees of the original family. The store was then moved to 500 Park Ave (the old Hillcrest Dairy). and in 1987 was purchased by Koenig Corporation and then by our fearless leader today, Mr. William Cavanagh (Bill).

Today, C.C. Lowell is located at 258 Park Ave, still in Worcester, and moved here in 1995. While we do not sell gasoline anymore, we still have thousands of necessities for the creative as well as fun gifts, stationery, decorative paper, just to name a few. The newest and biggest addition in 1996 was the inclusion of the First Show Gallery. The gallery purpose is to support emerging artists. For more information, go to our gallery page on the website!

Find out more about the people who make our store special.