Food

Part of a nation's history lies in what people eat. Artifacts at the Museum document the history of food in the United States from farm machinery to diet fads.

More than 1,300 pieces of stoneware and earthenware show how Americans have stored, prepared, and served food for centuries. Ovens, cookie cutters, kettles, aprons, and ice-cream-making machines are part of the collections, along with home canning jars and winemaking equipment. More than 1,000 objects recently came to the Museum when author and cooking show host Julia Child donated her entire kitchen, from appliances to cookbooks.

Advertising and business records of several food companies—such as Hills Brothers Coffee, Pepsi Cola, and Campbell's Soup—represent the commercial side of the subject

Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Enpee brand apple crate label was used by the North Pacific Sales Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue background with the letters “N.P.” in the center, filled with triangles of a variety of colors.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
North Pacific Sales Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.124
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.124
This shipping crate side originally contained Reliance brand prunes from Santa Clara, California during the early part of the 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Reliance brand prunes from Santa Clara, California during the early part of the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Grocery Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.336
catalog number
1979.0441.336
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained red delicious apples grown and packed by Tiger Mountain Orchards of Tiger, Georgia during the early 20th century. The crate side features an illustration of an orchard in front of a mountain.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained red delicious apples grown and packed by Tiger Mountain Orchards of Tiger, Georgia during the early 20th century. The crate side features an illustration of an orchard in front of a mountain.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Grocery Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.187
catalog number
1979.0441.187
accession number
1979.0441
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest.
Description (Brief)
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest. Later becoming Crescent Foods Inc., the company made its mark on the consumer landscape in 1905 with its Mapleine imitation maple flavoring which is still sold today by McCormick, which bought Crescent in 1989.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Crescent Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.166
catalog number
1979.0441.166
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Delight brand apple crate label was used by the North Pacific Sale Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. The label features a rolling orchard underneath a large mountain, with a red and golden apple in the corner. Fruit crate labels often depicted landscapes like this to evoke a sense of fresh, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
North Pacific Sales Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.063
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.063
This shipping crate side originally contained Madrona brand tomatoes packed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the first half of the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Madrona brand tomatoes packed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the first half of the 20th century. The Schwabacher Brothers Company was founded in 1860, and became well known in the Pacific Northwest for its department stores.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Schwabacher Bros. & Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.215
catalog number
1979.0441.215
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side originally contained Swastika brand ginger snaps produced by the Pacific Coast Biscuit Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The swastika has been stigmatized after World War II due to its adoption by the Nazi Party.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Swastika brand ginger snaps produced by the Pacific Coast Biscuit Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The swastika has been stigmatized after World War II due to its adoption by the Nazi Party. Prior to the 1930s, the swastika was known across cultures as a symbol generally meant to convey “good luck.” The Pacific Coast Biscuit Company called the symbol their “Good Luck” seal in their advertising.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Pacific Coast Company
ID Number
1979.0441.272
catalog number
1979.0441.272
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side was used by the Yours Truly Biscuit Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by the Yours Truly Biscuit Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Yours Truly Biscuit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.167
catalog number
1979.0441.167
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Meadow brand evaporated milk produced by the Meadowbrook Condensed Milk Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Meadow brand evaporated milk produced by the Meadowbrook Condensed Milk Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. Before refrigeration allowed fresh milk to easily be kept on hand, cans of evaporated or condensed milk were a staple of household pantries.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Meadowbrook Condensed Milk Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.213
catalog number
1979.0441.213
accession number
1979.0441
This Carnation Evaporated Milk shipping crate side features the product can bearing the company logo of a stem of carnations. The Carnation Evaporated Milk Company was founded in 1901 by E.A. Stuart in Seattle, Washington.
Description (Brief)
This Carnation Evaporated Milk shipping crate side features the product can bearing the company logo of a stem of carnations. The Carnation Evaporated Milk Company was founded in 1901 by E.A. Stuart in Seattle, Washington. Nestle acquired the Carnation Company in 1985.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Carnation Company
ID Number
1979.0441.273
catalog number
1979.0441.273
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side originally contained Quail brand spinach that was distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers and Company of Seattle, Washington during the first half of the 20th century. This crate contained a half dozen number 10 round tins.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Quail brand spinach that was distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers and Company of Seattle, Washington during the first half of the 20th century. This crate contained a half dozen number 10 round tins. The Schwabacher Brothers Company was one of the Pacific Northwest’s first large retail department stores.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Schwabacher Bros. & Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.251
catalog number
1979.0441.251
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Snoboy brand apple crate label was used by the Pacific Fruit and Produce Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Schmidt L. Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has a blue background, with an illustration of a snowman holding a red apple and waving.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Pacific Fruit & Produce Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.081
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.081
This shipping crate end contained Happy Home brand canned peas distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company, based in Seattle, Washington. The Schwabacher Bros. Co. Inc.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end contained Happy Home brand canned peas distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company, based in Seattle, Washington. The Schwabacher Bros. Co. Inc. was founded in 1860 in Walla Walla, Washington and was one of the first retail stores in the Pacific Northwest. In 1869, Schwabacher Bros. & Co. founded a business in Seattle when Washington was still a territory, becoming a popular spot for miners and settlers, selling clothing, groceries, and hardware.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Schwabacher Bros. & Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.280
catalog number
1979.0441.280
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.This Governor Winthrop brand fruit crate label was used by the G.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Governor Winthrop brand fruit crate label was used by the G. Winthrop Coffin distribution company of Seattle, Wenatchee, and Yakima, Washington. The lithographed label was produced by the Union Lithograph Company, Inc. of San Francisco, California. The blue label features an illustration of men taking a small rowboat ashore from their large ship, the Arbella. John Winthrop took the Arbella from England to the New World, where he was the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on and off from 1630-1649.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
G. Winthrop Coffin
ID Number
1979.0441.043
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.043
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Wilko brand apple crate was used by the Wilbur-Ellis Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The label has a yellow background with a green border, and a large red apple in the center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Wilbur-Ellis Company Distributors
ID Number
1979.0441.062
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.062
This shipping crate side contained Mount Vernon brand evaporated milk that was produced by the Mount Vernon Cream Company of Mount Vernon, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained four dozen cans of evaporated milk.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Mount Vernon brand evaporated milk that was produced by the Mount Vernon Cream Company of Mount Vernon, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained four dozen cans of evaporated milk. Evaporated and condensed milk was very important to nutrition before refrigeration allowed people to keep fresh milk on hand.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Mount Vernon Cream Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.238
catalog number
1979.0441.238
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate end contained Happy Home brand spinach, which was distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company, based in Seattle, Washington. Schwabacher Brothers Co., Inc.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end contained Happy Home brand spinach, which was distributed by the Schwabacher Brothers Company, based in Seattle, Washington. Schwabacher Brothers Co., Inc. was founded in 1860 and became a retail empire by selling clothing, groceries, and hardware in the Pacific Northwest.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Schwabacher Bros. & Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.209
catalog number
1979.0441.209
accession number
1979.0441
This is the side panel of a shipping crate for Darigold Evaporated Milk, the milk brand of the United Dairy Association of Washington.
Description (Brief)
This is the side panel of a shipping crate for Darigold Evaporated Milk, the milk brand of the United Dairy Association of Washington. In 1918, five Washington State dairy co-operatives combined to create the United Dairymen’s Association in an attempt to open new markets for their dairy products. In 1925, there was a contest amongst the co-operatives dairy farmers to name the company’s brand, and Darigold won.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
United Dairy Association of Washington
ID Number
1979.0441.292
catalog number
1979.0441.292
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Max-I-Mum brand peas that were packed for the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 20-ounce tins of early June sifted peas.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Max-I-Mum brand peas that were packed for the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen 20-ounce tins of early June sifted peas.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fischer Brothers Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.258
catalog number
1979.0441.258
accession number
1979.0441
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest.
Description (Brief)
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest. Later becoming Crescent Foods Inc., the company made its mark on the consumer landscape in 1905 with its Mapleine imitation maple flavoring which is still sold today by McCormick, which bought Crescent in 1989.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Crescent Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.370
catalog number
1979.0441.370
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side originally contained shellfish packed and shipped by the Haines Oyster Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained shellfish packed and shipped by the Haines Oyster Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. Founded in 1892, the Haines Oyster Company was one of the oldest wholesale shellfish farmers in the Pacific Northwest.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Haines Oyster Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.306
catalog number
1979.0441.306
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side was used by the Grinnell Company of the Pacific from Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate lists the company’s address as 3105 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, Washington.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by the Grinnell Company of the Pacific from Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate lists the company’s address as 3105 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, Washington.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Grinnell Corp.
ID Number
1979.0441.206
catalog number
1979.0441.206
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side originally contained Italian Prunes packed by the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 25 pounds of prunes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Italian Prunes packed by the Fischer Brothers Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 25 pounds of prunes.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fischer Brothers Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.256
catalog number
1979.0441.256
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side originally contained friction matches manufactured by the Fischer Brothers of Seattle, Washington. The crate side bears a sticker warning to keep fire away from the crate.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained friction matches manufactured by the Fischer Brothers of Seattle, Washington. The crate side bears a sticker warning to keep fire away from the crate.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fischer Bros.
ID Number
1979.0441.304
catalog number
1979.0441.304
accession number
1979.0441

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