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

Ira Wertman, a farmer in Andreas, Pennsylvania, raised fruits and vegetables and peddled them with this truck to retired coal miners near Allentown. He also used the truck to take produce to market and haul supplies from town to the farm.
Description
Ira Wertman, a farmer in Andreas, Pennsylvania, raised fruits and vegetables and peddled them with this truck to retired coal miners near Allentown. He also used the truck to take produce to market and haul supplies from town to the farm. Pickup trucks have been versatile aids to a wide range of agricultural, personal, and business activities. Early pickup trucks were modified automobiles, but postwar models were larger, more powerful, and able to carry heavier loads. Some postwar pickups were used in building suburban communities. Others were used for recreational purposes such as camping, hunting, and fishing. By the 1990s, many people purchased pickups for everyday driving.
date made
1949
maker
General Motors Corporation
ID Number
1999.0057.01
accession number
1999.0057
catalog number
1999.0057.01
Straight steel blade with rounded tip. Blade and rectangular bolster are one piece of steel with tang fitted into a tapered ivory handle with straight sides and rounded butt. Metal has minor discoloration, some residues on blade. Ivory is yellowed.
Description
Straight steel blade with rounded tip. Blade and rectangular bolster are one piece of steel with tang fitted into a tapered ivory handle with straight sides and rounded butt. Metal has minor discoloration, some residues on blade. Ivory is yellowed. Blade stamped: “PRATT ROPES WEBB&Co / AMERICAN CUTLERY”. With matching fork, 1986.0531.114.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1846 - 1855
ID Number
1986.0531.113
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.531.113
The Remmey and Crolius families dominated the New York stoneware industry from the early 1700s through the early 1800s. Both families emigrated from Germany, bringing with them the stoneware traditions of their homeland.
Description
The Remmey and Crolius families dominated the New York stoneware industry from the early 1700s through the early 1800s. Both families emigrated from Germany, bringing with them the stoneware traditions of their homeland. Sometimes business associates, the two families also inter-married. Remmey family members went on to establish stoneware factories in Philadelphia and Baltimore, as well.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1795-1830
maker
Remmey III, John
ID Number
1980.0614.363
accession number
1980.0614
catalog number
1980.0614.363
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855 - 1866
ID Number
DL.61.0394C
catalog number
61.0394C
accession number
232677
A poster giving examples of egg sizes and how to cook fried and poached eggs.
Description
A poster giving examples of egg sizes and how to cook fried and poached eggs.
date made
1967
copyright date
1967
associated institution
U.S. Department of Agriculture
maker
U.S. Department of Agriculture
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81724Y42
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date designed
1954
date made
c.1954
date produced
ca. 1960
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Gailstyn Company
ID Number
1992.0257.11D
catalog number
1992.0257.11D
accession number
1992.0257
This Chere Best brand apple crate label was used by the Columbia Fruit Packers Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California.
Description (Brief)
This Chere Best brand apple crate label was used by the Columbia Fruit Packers Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. These apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington, which is colloquially known as the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Columbia Fruit Packers, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.112
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.112
This shipping crate side contained Rose of Virginia brand apples that were grown and packed by E.W. Barr of Winchester, Virginia during the early 20th century. The crate side has an image of a rose stenciled in the center.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Rose of Virginia brand apples that were grown and packed by E.W. Barr of Winchester, Virginia during the early 20th century. The crate side has an image of a rose stenciled in the center. Winchester, Virginia is well known for hosting the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
E. W. Barr
ID Number
1979.0441.203
catalog number
1979.0441.203
accession number
1979.0441
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
This shipping crate side originally contained Providence River brand cove oysters packed and shipped by the Fait & Winebrenner Company of Baltimore, Maryland during the early 20th century. The shipping crate was made by J.M. Thiemeyer & Company Box Manufacturers.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Providence River brand cove oysters packed and shipped by the Fait & Winebrenner Company of Baltimore, Maryland during the early 20th century. The shipping crate was made by J.M. Thiemeyer & Company Box Manufacturers. The wooden shipping crate side has an interlocking F and W symbol in the center, and contained 24 20-ounce cans of oysters.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fait & Winebrenner
ID Number
1979.0441.347
catalog number
1979.0441.347
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 Rose brand apple crate label was used by J.M.
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 Rose brand apple crate label was used by J.M. Wade of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. This label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has a blue background with an illustration of two large red roses in the center. These apples came from Wenatchee, part of a region that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
J. M. Wade
ID Number
1979.0441.126
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.126
This shipping crate side contained Murphy’s Select brand California tomatoes that were packed and shipped by the Murphy’s Brothers Company in California during the early 20th century. The crate side has a four leaf clover logo in the upper right.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Murphy’s Select brand California tomatoes that were packed and shipped by the Murphy’s Brothers Company in California during the early 20th century. The crate side has a four leaf clover logo in the upper right.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
O. P. Murphy & Sons
ID Number
1979.0441.229
catalog number
1979.0441.229
accession number
1979.0441
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date produced
c.1950
date made
c.1950s
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Hull
ID Number
1992.0257.13.ab
accession number
1992.0257
catalog number
1992.0257.13ab
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1968-1970
author
Waters, Alice
ID Number
2016.0085.20
accession number
2016.0085
catalog number
2016.0085.20
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950 - 1959
1950 - 1959
date produced
ca. 1950
associated dates
1992 06 02 / 1992 06 02
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Kogan, Belle
ID Number
1992.0257.12.ab
accession number
1992.0257
catalog number
1992.0257.12ab
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1925 - 1940
maker
Stieff Company
ID Number
2002.0021.01
accession number
2002.0021
catalog number
2002.0021.01
This shipping crate side has a label for Gilbert S. Graves Family Gloss Starch that was manufactured by the National Starch Company of Buffalo, New York during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 16 3-pound boxes of starch.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side has a label for Gilbert S. Graves Family Gloss Starch that was manufactured by the National Starch Company of Buffalo, New York during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 16 3-pound boxes of starch. The National Starch Company was one of the largest American producers of starch during the early 20th century, controlling a number of companies including the Gilbert S. Graves Company.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Starch Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.333
catalog number
1979.0441.333
accession number
1979.0441
Consists of a two-handled, wide-rimmed, circular bowl or dish on straight tapered foot ring with butter knife holder attached to body, a domed cover topped by a cast finial, and a removable, crosslet-pierced liner inside.
Description
Consists of a two-handled, wide-rimmed, circular bowl or dish on straight tapered foot ring with butter knife holder attached to body, a domed cover topped by a cast finial, and a removable, crosslet-pierced liner inside. Bottom edge of cover and foot ring have matching die-stamped bands featuring rectangular panels of flowers. Dish is struck incuse on underside of its flat bottom with circular mark for "SIMPSON, HALL, MILLER & CO / +" encircling "TREBLE / PLATE" at center; "38" stamped above. Cover and liner are not marked. No butter knife.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1866 - 1899
ca 1880
maker
Simpson, Hall, Miller, and Co.
ID Number
DL.67.0729
catalog number
67.0729
accession number
248268
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and slightly domed bottom having a small circle stamped at center inside; cast four-hearts-and-crescent handle with triangular bracket. No touchmarks. Small sections of linen mark faintly visible.
Description
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and slightly domed bottom having a small circle stamped at center inside; cast four-hearts-and-crescent handle with triangular bracket. No touchmarks. Small sections of linen mark faintly visible. Gutter and boss are well defined with crisp turning marks on bottom underside.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800 - 1825
ID Number
DL.59.2231
catalog number
59.2231
accession number
220211
This shipping crate side was used by Ferg’s brand chili con carne and packed by the Ferguson Canning Company of Snohomish, Washington in the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 11 ounce tins.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by Ferg’s brand chili con carne and packed by the Ferguson Canning Company of Snohomish, Washington in the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 11 ounce tins.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Ferguson Canning Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.165
catalog number
1979.0441.165
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 Good Pickens brand apple crate label was used by the Cashmere Fruit Exchange of Cashmere, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by Louis Roesch Company Lithography of San Francisco, California. The label has an illustration of a smiling young boy holding a half-eaten apple. Fruit labels often would depict images of healthy young children to promote the health benefits of apples.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cashmere Fruit Exchange
ID Number
1979.0441.082
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.082
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

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.