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

Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast crown handle with triangular bracket is pierced with 11 voids and struck on top with the incuse serif letters "LB" at center of a circular shield on indistinct support flanked by bossed foliate volutes below a five-pe
Description
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast crown handle with triangular bracket is pierced with 11 voids and struck on top with the incuse serif letters "LB" at center of a circular shield on indistinct support flanked by bossed foliate volutes below a five-pearl (ducal) coronet with textured ground. "Mason" and "10" scratched on underside of boss. No touchmarks. Diamond or lozenge linen mark with sink hole from tinker's dam used to burn handle on to bowl. Turning marks across entire bottom underside.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th or early 19th century
1770 - 1780
ID Number
DL.388320
catalog number
388320
accession number
182022
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.66.0564B
catalog number
66.0564B
accession number
265238
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.67.0785
catalog number
67.0785
accession number
269842
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
ID Number
DL.64.0515A
accession number
251849
catalog number
64.0515A
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900s
maker
Ives, Frederick Eugene
ID Number
PG.007224C
accession number
251656
The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 contributed to the establishment of numerous stoneware factories in towns such as Utica, New York.
Description
The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 contributed to the establishment of numerous stoneware factories in towns such as Utica, New York. The White family first began making utilitarian pottery in Utica in 1834, and started using molds and steam-powered pottery wheels in the 1870s, expanding the types of wares they could produce. By the late 1800s, they were known for their relief molded wares, such as this stein.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1907
maker
White's Pottery
ID Number
1992.0278.03
catalog number
1992.0278.03
accession number
1992.0278
Maple sugar is produced by boiling sap to evaporate the water until past the point of syrup production. It then can be placed into wooden or metal molds to harden into cakes to be used later.
Description
Maple sugar is produced by boiling sap to evaporate the water until past the point of syrup production. It then can be placed into wooden or metal molds to harden into cakes to be used later. Early settlers in New England had greater access to maple sugar, while early abolitionists often promoted the use of maple sugar versus cane sugar due to the slave labor used in cane sugar production. While maple sugar production could never compete with cane sugar in terms of scale, it was often easier and cheaper for those on the northeaster frontier to produce.
Maple syrup production is one of the few agricultural processes in North America that was not a European import but learned from Native Americans. Sap is typically collected from the Sugar, Red or Black maple, though it can be collected from other tree types. Northeastern North America is the most common area for maple syrup production, with Vermont, New York and Maine leading production in the U.S. Once the sap is collected, it must be boiled down to reduce the water content. It can require anywhere from 20-50 liters of sap to make one liter of syrup, depending on the sugar content of the sap. Each tree is capable of producing 35-50 liters of sap.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th Century (?)
ID Number
CL.64.264
catalog number
64.204A
64.0204A
accession number
249244
catalog number
64.264
This box was used to transport loaves of bread by wagon or train from Meinburg's Bakery of Washington DC to establishments in the city and outlying counties. Delivering goods by rail meant a larger customer base for businesses like this bakery.
Description
This box was used to transport loaves of bread by wagon or train from Meinburg's Bakery of Washington DC to establishments in the city and outlying counties. Delivering goods by rail meant a larger customer base for businesses like this bakery. After reaching its destination and unloaded, the grocery would return the box to the bakery where it was reloaded for another shipment.
The box is constructed of wood with rope handles and could be carried by one person. The box is numbered so agents could track the shipment.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1900
ID Number
1985.0709.01
accession number
1985.0709
catalog number
1985.0709.01
85.0709.01
accession number
1985.0709
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1900
ID Number
1977.0918.56
accession number
1977.0918
catalog number
1977.0918.56
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
ID Number
DL.64.0515C
catalog number
64.0515C
accession number
251849
Cylindrical, green jasperware handled and covered container encircled with applied neoclassical scenes of women and putti beneath a border of laurel leaves and berries. Container is rounded at base and fitted with a silverplated collar with bail handle around its rim.
Description
Cylindrical, green jasperware handled and covered container encircled with applied neoclassical scenes of women and putti beneath a border of laurel leaves and berries. Container is rounded at base and fitted with a silverplated collar with bail handle around its rim. Flat circular cover with utensil cutout is decorated with scrolls, bellflowers, and a geometric border and topped by an acorn-and-button finial. Interior of pot is glazed; exterior is stamped "WEDGWOOD" (slightly curved) and inscribed "X" and "C". Cover not marked.
Maker is Wedgwood, Stoke-on-Trent, England, founded by Josiah Wedgwood in 1759.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.66.0548
catalog number
66.0548
accession number
265238
Baluster-shaped caster on a flared and cove-molded, circular pedestal base with high-domed, perforated cover having an acorn finial, pierced holes arranged into four diamonds, and molded rim.
Description
Baluster-shaped caster on a flared and cove-molded, circular pedestal base with high-domed, perforated cover having an acorn finial, pierced holes arranged into four diamonds, and molded rim. Plain body has molded band above projecting rounded shoulder with seam at center and square-bottomed lower half. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th or early 19th century
1750 - 1800
ID Number
DL.388333
catalog number
388333
accession number
182022
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
ID Number
DL.64.0515B
catalog number
64.0515B
accession number
251849
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
date made; year pattern introduced
1923 or later
ID Number
DL.66.0575
catalog number
66.0575
accession number
265238
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1904 or 1914
ID Number
1977.0918.49
accession number
1977.0918
catalog number
1977.0918.49
Small condiment frame consisting of three, flat-bottomed piercework cylinders, the largest at center holds a clear, colorless glass mustard cup or pot with bell-shaped cover while the two smaller holders, attached with C scrolls at sides, have facted, clear, colorless glass shake
Description
Small condiment frame consisting of three, flat-bottomed piercework cylinders, the largest at center holds a clear, colorless glass mustard cup or pot with bell-shaped cover while the two smaller holders, attached with C scrolls at sides, have facted, clear, colorless glass shakers with screw-top perforated caps. Tall, arched or U-shaped, fixed handle. Bottom underside of center holder is struck with three incuse marks, "BENEDICT", the company logo with "B B" separated by a bee in a diamond or lozenge titled "SHEFFIELD PLATE" and "NICKEL SILVER", and "2286".
Maker is Benedict Manufacturing Co. of East Syracuse, NY; in business, 1894-1953 (began as M. S. Benedict Manufacturing Co., name changed circa 1902).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.66.0545
catalog number
66.0545
accession number
265238
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800
19th century
ID Number
1983.0770.03
accession number
1983.0770
catalog number
1983.0770.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900
previous owner
Pell, Alfred Duane
ID Number
DL.60.0331
catalog number
60.0331
accession number
225282
Two-handled or -eared, basin-bowl porringer with square-beaded rim and flat bottom with shallow foot ring; incised lines around interior and exterior of rim and interior bottom.
Description
Two-handled or -eared, basin-bowl porringer with square-beaded rim and flat bottom with shallow foot ring; incised lines around interior and exterior of rim and interior bottom. Bracketless, cast flowered-type handles are pierced with five small voids (heart at tip and two pairs of opposing drops at sides); one handle is struck on top with two square marks, a ram's head in one and the raised letters "CS / 30" in the other.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880 - 1900
ID Number
DL.311686
catalog number
311686
accession number
64443
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
1905 or later
ID Number
DL.67.0784
catalog number
67.0784
accession number
269842
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast flower-type handle with T-shaped or linguiform bracket is pierced with 13 voids. Large script initials "RB" engraved on bottom underside. No touchmarks.
Description
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast flower-type handle with T-shaped or linguiform bracket is pierced with 13 voids. Large script initials "RB" engraved on bottom underside. No touchmarks. Diamond or lozenge linen mark with sink hole from tinker's dam used to burn handle on to bowl. Turning marks on underside of boss.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th or early 19th century
1780 - 1820
ID Number
DL.388319
catalog number
388319
accession number
182022
Pie crimpers or jagging wheels are among the most common scrimshaw items carved by American 19th century whalemen. They were useful, as well as decorative kitchen implements.
Description
Pie crimpers or jagging wheels are among the most common scrimshaw items carved by American 19th century whalemen. They were useful, as well as decorative kitchen implements. The fluted wheel was used to cut dough or seal the top of a pie crust to the sides before baking.
This example’s shaft is in the form of a snake or sea serpent, with a tongue in the shape of a three-tine fork. The fork was used to decorate or poke holes in the upper pie crust to vent the steam created by baking.
date made
19th century
Associated Date
19th century
ID Number
DL.388597
catalog number
388597
accession number
182022
Small, Art Nouveau, repoussé chased pentagonal dish with slightly convex, cinquefoil well; no footring. Flared sides and everted rim with downturned edge are segmented by five sinuous ribbons overrun by a wreath of wild roses open at one corner, leaving an empty reserve.
Description
Small, Art Nouveau, repoussé chased pentagonal dish with slightly convex, cinquefoil well; no footring. Flared sides and everted rim with downturned edge are segmented by five sinuous ribbons overrun by a wreath of wild roses open at one corner, leaving an empty reserve. No monogram. Underside of well struck incuse with circular mark for "THE VAN BERGH S.P.CO. (arched) / ROCHESTER, NY (curved)" enclosing "QUADRUPLE / PLATE", and "5353" below. From a 7-piece set (one large and six small dishes) for serving bonbons ("sweets") or nuts, 1989.0184.11-.17.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
ID Number
1989.0184.15
catalog number
1989.0184.15
accession number
1989.0184
Small, Art Nouveau, repoussé chased pentagonal dish with slightly convex, cinquefoil well; no footring. Flared sides and everted rim with downturned edge are segmented by five sinuous ribbons overrun by a wreath of wild roses open at one corner, leaving an empty reserve.
Description
Small, Art Nouveau, repoussé chased pentagonal dish with slightly convex, cinquefoil well; no footring. Flared sides and everted rim with downturned edge are segmented by five sinuous ribbons overrun by a wreath of wild roses open at one corner, leaving an empty reserve. No monogram. Underside of well struck incuse with circular mark for "THE VAN BERGH S.P.CO. (arched) / ROCHESTER, NY (curved)" enclosing "QUADRUPLE / PLATE", and "5353" below. From a 7-piece set (one large and six small dishes) for serving bonbons ("sweets") or nuts, 1989.0184.11-.17.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
ID Number
1989.0184.12
catalog number
1989.0184.12
accession number
1989.0184

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