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

This bottle once held Angelica wine, produced by Concannon Vineyards in Livermore, California, in 1929, at the height of Prohibition in the United States.
Description
This bottle once held Angelica wine, produced by Concannon Vineyards in Livermore, California, in 1929, at the height of Prohibition in the United States. National Prohibition, the 18th amendment to the Constitution, was passed by Congress in January 1919 to prohibit the manufacture, transport, sale, export, and import of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Lasting almost 14 years (Repeal took effect on December 5, 1933), Prohibition had a tremendously negative impact on the American wine industry. Yet this Angelica was produced legally during Prohibition, due to an exception in the law, which permitted certain wineries to make wines for sacramental and medicinal purposes. The Concannon family made altar wine for the Catholic Church during this period.
The bottle includes a stamp indicating that taxes had been paid on the wine and the permit information: “Bonded Winery 616 / 11th Permissive Dist. Calif. / Permit Calif. A 854"
Concannon Vineyards was established by James Concannon, a native of County Galway, Ireland, who arrived in Boston in 1865 and San Francisco in 1878. As a rubber stamp salesman whose territory extended into Canada and Mexico, he was a well-traveled entrepreneur. In 1883 he bought 47 acres of land in California’s Livermore Valley and established vineyards there, with a winery to follow in 1895. James’s son Joseph took over the business and kept it going through Prohibition. By the 1950s another generation—Joseph Jr. and James (Jim)—were running the company. Although the winery has been owned by the Wente family since 1992, the Concannon family is still very much involved in the management of the operation. John Concannon is now the fourth generation vintner at his family’s historic vineyards and winery.
date made
1929
ID Number
2014.0095.02
catalog number
2014.0095.02
accession number
2014.0095
Dessert knife. Straight silver-plated steel blade with rounded tip and “yankee” style bolster. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel fitted into a tapered handle with rounded sides and butt. Tang is held in place with steel pin through side of handle.
Description
Dessert knife. Straight silver-plated steel blade with rounded tip and “yankee” style bolster. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel fitted into a tapered handle with rounded sides and butt. Tang is held in place with steel pin through side of handle. Heavily scratched and stained, plate is worn. Ivory is yellowed and crazed. Blade stamped: “MERIDEN CUTLERY / COMPANY”.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1855 - 1925
ID Number
1986.0531.118
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.531.118
Physical DescriptionPrinted on cardboard.General HistoryHershey's Milk Chocolate box that held candy bars.
Description
Physical Description
Printed on cardboard.
General History
Hershey's Milk Chocolate box that held candy bars.
date made
1943
associated dates
1941-1945
maker
Hershey Chocolate Corporation
ID Number
1992.3112.01
catalog number
1992.3112.01
nonaccession number
1992.3112
The chocolate-making conche was named for the resemblance of initial designs to the shell of the conch, a sea-dwelling invertebrate. Invented in 1879 by Rudolph Lindt, the conche is outfitted with large stone rollers that are used to mix and aerate the liquid chocolate.
Description
The chocolate-making conche was named for the resemblance of initial designs to the shell of the conch, a sea-dwelling invertebrate. Invented in 1879 by Rudolph Lindt, the conche is outfitted with large stone rollers that are used to mix and aerate the liquid chocolate. An ad for the "Longitudinal Refining Machine" offered by J.M. Lehmann in an 1899 catalog describes the function of the unit: "In working Chocolate by this machine the highly prized melting character of the chocolate is obtained and besides the taste is considerably improved...No other machine will obtain similar favorable results...[a]s Chocolate handled by this machine becomes very fluid, obviating an excessive addition of Cocoa Butter. . ."
The process of conching is one of the last stages in the production of milk chocolate. It develops the chocolate flavor, darkens the chocolate's color, stabilizes the viscous properties of the chocolate mass by covering all aspects with cocoa butter, and generally lowers the moisture content of the mass. Manufacturing processes vary; some producers add milk, sugar, and flavorings to the chocolate mass or liquor (a semi-liquid ground cocoa bean mixture), before the mixture is refined and conched. Others contend that the heat involved in conching destroys volatile flavor compounds, so flavors are added later. Conching can last from one to four days, and once it is finished, the mixture is melted, deposited into bar molds, and allowed to cool.
The conche was part of a donation by the Hershey Foods Corporation of three machines representing major steps in the chocolate making process: the grinding of "nibs" (the roasted core of the cocoa bean) in the chocolate liquor mill is one of the first steps, the conche performs important mixing and heating functions in the middle of the process, and the depositor ejects milk chocolate that hardens into the final candy bar form. This conche was manufactured in approximately 1920, and was in use at the Hershey chocolate Company.
Milton Snavely Hershey was a candymaker long before he became a significant figure in the American chocolate industry. After failed business ventures in Philadelphia, Denver, and New York, Hershey was finally able to establish a successful trade in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, making caramel candies. He traveled to the World's Columbian Exposition (1893), and visited many of the agricultural and food-related exhibitions there. The J.M. Lehmann Company had a fully functional chocolate bar production line on display in the Machinery Building, and before the close of the Exposition on October 30, 1893, Hershey had arranged to buy the machines that had been in the display. By New Year's Day 1894, Hershey was making cocoa products. He began offering solid chocolate candies in 1896, and, in 1900, the first Hershey's Milk Chocolate bars were offered for sale in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
1980.0021.02
accession number
1980.0021
catalog number
1980.0021.02
Postcards, once used as souvenirs, now help us reflect on what a small part of Main Street America used to look like.
Description
Postcards, once used as souvenirs, now help us reflect on what a small part of Main Street America used to look like. As highways spread across the nation, Main Street views like this changed and in some cases disappeared as travelers were diverted to roadside eateries away from small towns.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1920s
ID Number
1986.3048.1587
nonaccession number
1986.3048
catalog number
1986.3048.1587
Physical DescriptionPaper candy wrapper over candy bar.General HistoryIn 1943, the procurement division of the army inquired about the possibility of obtaining a heat-resistant chocolate bar with an improved flavor.
Description
Physical Description
Paper candy wrapper over candy bar.
General History
In 1943, the procurement division of the army inquired about the possibility of obtaining a heat-resistant chocolate bar with an improved flavor. After a short period of experimentation, Hershey's Tropical Chocolate Bar in both one- and two-ounce sizes was added to the list of war production items. This bar was destined to exceed all other items in the tonnage produced. The Army-Navy "E" Production Award was given to Hershey Chocolate Corporation on August 22, 1942, in recognition of its outstanding war effort. The corporation received a flag to fly above the chocolate plant and a lapel pin for every employee. The award was presented for exceeding all production expectations in the manufacturing of an Emergency Field Ration. The “E” production award was not easily won nor lightly bestowed. The award recognized companies that consistently met high standards of quality and quantity in light of available resources. Major General Edmund Gregory said of Hershey, "The men and women of Hershey Chocolate Corporation have every reason to be proud of their great work in backing up our soldiers on the fighting fronts." In all, the Hershey Chocolate Corporation received five Army-Navy "E" awards.
date made
1943
maker
Hershey Chocolate Corporation
ID Number
1977.0865.07
catalog number
1977.0865.07
accession number
1977.0865
catalog number
80015M
Diminutive, spun bellied-bowl porringer with vertical rim and bossed bottom; four-hearts-and-crescent handle (repaired) with triangular bracket cast separately from bowl and soldered in place. No touchmarks.
Description
Diminutive, spun bellied-bowl porringer with vertical rim and bossed bottom; four-hearts-and-crescent handle (repaired) with triangular bracket cast separately from bowl and soldered in place. No touchmarks. Turning marks visible overall on exterior and interior of bowl and rim.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900 - 1925
ID Number
DL.388323
catalog number
388323
accession number
182022
This bottle once held Sherry produced by Concannon Vineyards in Livermore, California, in 1929, at the height of Prohibition in the United States.
Description
This bottle once held Sherry produced by Concannon Vineyards in Livermore, California, in 1929, at the height of Prohibition in the United States. National Prohibition, the 18th amendment to the Constitution, was passed by Congress in January 1919 to prohibit the manufacture, transport, sale, export, and import of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Lasting almost 14 years (Repeal took effect on December 5, 1933), Prohibition had a tremendously negative impact on the American wine industry. Yet this Sherry was produced legally during Prohibition, due to an exception in the law, which permitted certain wineries to make wines for sacramental and medicinal purposes. The Concannon family made altar wine for the Catholic Church during this period.
The bottle includes a stamp indicating that taxes had been paid on the wine and the permit information: “Bonded Winery 616 / 11th Permissive Dist. Calif. / Permit Calif. A 854"
Concannon Vineyards was established by James Concannon, a native of County Galway, Ireland, who arrived in Boston in 1865 and San Francisco in 1878. As a rubber stamp salesman whose territory extended into Canada and Mexico, he was a well-traveled entrepreneur. In 1883 he bought 47 acres of land in California’s Livermore Valley and established vineyards there, with a winery to follow in 1895. James’s son Joseph took over the business and kept it going through Prohibition. By the 1950s another generation—Joseph Jr. and James (Jim)—were running the company. Although the winery has been owned by the Wente family since 1992, the Concannon family is still very much involved in the management of the operation. John Concannon is now the fourth generation vintner at his family’s historic vineyards and winery.
date made
1929
ID Number
2014.0095.03
catalog number
2014.0095.03
accession number
2014.0095
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1925
ID Number
DL.61.0440E
catalog number
61.0440E
accession number
232332
Straight steel blade with rounded tip and rectangular bolster. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel fitted into a tapered ivory handle with straight sides and rounded butt. Tang is held in place with steel pin through side of handle.
Description
Straight steel blade with rounded tip and rectangular bolster. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel fitted into a tapered ivory handle with straight sides and rounded butt. Tang is held in place with steel pin through side of handle. Scratched, minor discoloration on blade. Ivory is yellowed and crazed. Crack in ivory near bolster. Blade stamped: “MERIDEN CUTLERY / COMPANY”.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1855 - 1925
ID Number
1986.0531.117
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.531.117
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1891
1885 - 1926
ID Number
DL.59.0591
catalog number
59.0591
accession number
219034
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1887 - 1922
1880 - 1890
patent date
1880-06-29
ID Number
DL.67.0786
catalog number
67.0786
accession number
269842
This bottle of Riesling was produced by Concannon Vineyards in Livermore, California, in 1925, at the height of Prohibition in the United States.
Description
This bottle of Riesling was produced by Concannon Vineyards in Livermore, California, in 1925, at the height of Prohibition in the United States. National Prohibition, the 18th amendment to the Constitution, was passed by Congress in January 1919 to prohibit the manufacture, transport, sale, export, and import of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Lasting almost 14 years (Repeal took effect on December 5, 1933), Prohibition had a tremendously negative impact on the American wine industry. Yet this Riesling was produced legally during Prohibition, due to an exception in the law, which permitted certain wineries to make wines for sacramental and medicinal purposes. The Concannon family made altar wine for the Catholic Church during this period.
The bottle includes a stamp indicating that taxes had been paid on the wine and the permit information: “Bonded Winery 616 / 11th Permissive Dist. Calif. / Permit Calif. A 854"
Concannon Vineyards was established by James Concannon, a native of County Galway, Ireland, who arrived in Boston in 1865 and San Francisco in 1878. As a rubber stamp salesman whose territory extended into Canada and Mexico, he was a well-traveled entrepreneur. In 1883 he bought 47 acres of land in California’s Livermore Valley and established vineyards there, with a winery to follow in 1895. James’s son Joseph took over the business and kept it going through Prohibition. By the 1950s another generation—Joseph Jr. and James (Jim)—were running the company. Although the winery has been owned by the Wente family since 1992, the Concannon family is still very much involved in the management of the operation. John Concannon is now the fourth generation vintner at his family’s historic vineyards and winery.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1925
ID Number
2014.0095.01
catalog number
2014.0095.01
accession number
2014.0095
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1925
ID Number
DL.61.0440D
catalog number
61.0440D
accession number
232332
A set of six butter knives, each with a tarnished metal handle and imitation tortoiseshell celluloid blade. The knives are unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A set of six butter knives, each with a tarnished metal handle and imitation tortoiseshell celluloid blade. The knives are unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925
ID Number
2006.0098.1669
catalog number
2006.0098.1669
accession number
2006.0098
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
1875 - 1925
ID Number
DL.61.0440B
catalog number
61.0440B
accession number
232332
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1925
ID Number
DL.61.0440A
catalog number
61.0440A
accession number
232332
This commercial bread-slicing machine was designed and manufactured in 1928 by Otto Frederick Rohwedder (1880-1960). It was used to slice loaves of fresh bakery bread at Korn's Bakery, in Rohwedder's home town of Davenport, Iowa, beginning in late 1928.
Description
This commercial bread-slicing machine was designed and manufactured in 1928 by Otto Frederick Rohwedder (1880-1960). It was used to slice loaves of fresh bakery bread at Korn's Bakery, in Rohwedder's home town of Davenport, Iowa, beginning in late 1928. This is Rohwedder's second automatic bread-slicer, the first having fallen apart after about six months of heavy use at Bench's Bakery, in Chillicothe, Missouri.
The public loved the convenience of sliced bread and, by 1929, Rohwedder's Mac-Roh Company was feverishly meeting the demand for bread-slicing machines. By the following year, the Continental Baking Company was selling sliced bread under the Wonder Bread label. Having achieved success, Mr. Rohwedder reflected on his invention in the June 1930 issue of the Atlanta-based bakery trade journal, New South Baker: "I have seen enough bakers benefit in a big way from Sliced Bread to know that the same results can be obtained by any baker anywhere if he goes about the matter correctly. A good loaf, a proper presentation of Sliced Bread to the grocers and a truthful, clean advertising program based upon successful experiences and the baker can build his business far beyond what he could do without Sliced Bread. . . We are continuing our experimental and developmental work confident in the belief that the real possibilities of Sliced Bread have scarcely been scratched."
This 1928 bread-slicing machine was manufactured by the Micro Machine Company, of Bettendorf, Iowa, for the Davenport-based Mac-Roh Sales and Manufacturing Company. It was donated to the Museum by Mr. Rohwedder's daughter, Mrs. Margaret R. Steinhauer, of Albion, Michigan, in 1974.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1928
maker
Micro Machine Company
ID Number
1975.315261.1
accession number
1975.315261
catalog number
1975.315261.1
MHI-M-1064
Dinner or table knife with blunt blade and solid rounded-end handle, oblong in section, with arched hollow shoulders above the single-groove ("Yankee") bolster; made as a single piece. No monograms. No marks.
Description
Dinner or table knife with blunt blade and solid rounded-end handle, oblong in section, with arched hollow shoulders above the single-groove ("Yankee") bolster; made as a single piece. No monograms. No marks. One of five knives, 1986.0531.204-.208, from a 13-piece flatware set, 1986.0531.204-.216 (knives unmarked; forks and spoons marked).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900 - 1920
maker
Charles Parker Company
ID Number
1986.0531.205
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.205
Dinner or table knife with blunt blade and solid rounded-end handle, oblong in section, with arched hollow shoulders above the single-groove ("Yankee") bolster; made as a single piece. No monograms. No marks.
Description
Dinner or table knife with blunt blade and solid rounded-end handle, oblong in section, with arched hollow shoulders above the single-groove ("Yankee") bolster; made as a single piece. No monograms. No marks. One of five knives, 1986.0531.204-.208, from a 13-piece flatware set, 1986.0531.204-.216 (knives unmarked; forks and spoons marked).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900 - 1920
maker
Charles Parker Company
ID Number
1986.0531.204
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.204
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895 - 1925
ID Number
DL.238049.0065
catalog number
238049.0065
accession number
238049
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900 - 1920
ID Number
DL.288746.0013
catalog number
288746.0013
accession number
288746
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900 - 1920
ID Number
DL.59.1515D
catalog number
59.1515D
accession number
111627

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