1889
Our Founding
The Oak Hall Company is founded in Roanoke, VA
1940
Expanding Offerings
Tuxedo and suit rentals, as well as "fancy" dress rentals for ladies, are added to the clothing line.
1960
New Facility
We outgrow our downtown home and move to a larger facility on the outskirts of downtown. We start delivering regalia on rolling racks from high school to high school. We also start producing choir robes.
1978
Acquisition CE Ward
We purchase CE Ward, a New London, Ohio company that also produces caps and gowns, choir robes, and masonic gear. We are now producing in Virginia and Ohio!
1980
Acquisition of Bentley & Simon
We acquire the Bentley and Simon Company, a New York-based manufacturing firm world renowned as the leader in fine tailored pulpit, academic, and judicial apparel. In fact, today Bentley and Simon is recognized throughout the world as the hallmark for quality custom-made robes and is the robe supplier for the Justices of the US Supreme Court. Manufacturing is moved to Roanoke Virginia; we maintained a showroom in Lower Manhattan until our General Manager retired in 1995.
1984
New Home in Salem
We once again outgrow our home and move to a much larger facility in neighboring Salem, Virginia.
1986
Relocation of Cap & Gown Operations
We sell the Ohio facility and the masonic business to a long time employee of CE Ward, and move the cap and gown operations to Salem.
1996
New Facility in Wytheville
With the NAFTA signing, many textile manufacturers closed their doors and moved that work out of the United States. Oak Hall purchased an established facility in Wytheville, Virginia and rehired the 70 employees; allowing us the opportunity to increase our production capabilities and continue to grow.
2003
Manufacturing in Chilhowie
We sign a lease and open our third manufacturing plant in Chilhowie, Virginia, adding 100 additional jobs. We also open a 140,000 square foot distribution and customer service center in Roanoke.
2004
Acquisition of ER Moore
We acquired ER Moore, a Chicago based manufacturer, and Cotrell and Leonard, the original cap and gown manufacturer in the United States.
2009
First Sustainable Regalia
Oak Hall introduced the first sustainable cap and gowns as a way to bring added value to you and your students. The GreenWeaver and NuHorizon sustainable gowns are made of 100% post-consumer plastic bottles and can be recycled.
2015
New Facility in Independence
Oak Hall opened our fourth sewing facility, this one in the Town of Independence, with a ribbon cutting attended by the Governor of Virginia. In his speech, Governor McAuliffe states "the 100 jobs Oak Hall is bringing to Grayson Country is equivalent to 2,000 jobs in Northern Virginia".
