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
This shipping crate side contained Swift’s Premium Corned Beef that was packed and distributed by Swift & Company during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen tins of corned beef.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Swift’s Premium Corned Beef that was packed and distributed by Swift & Company during the early 20th century. The crate contained two dozen tins of corned beef. Swift and Company was founded by Gustavus Franklin Swift, and was incorporated in 1885. Swift and Company was part of the large meatpacking industry in Chicago that used refrigerated cars to ship their meat all across the country.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Swift and Company
ID Number
1979.0441.194
catalog number
1979.0441.194
accession number
1979.0441
This Drambuie Liqueur crate side was used by the Drambuie Liqueur Company, Ltd. of Edinburgh, Scotland during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This Drambuie Liqueur crate side was used by the Drambuie Liqueur Company, Ltd. of Edinburgh, Scotland during the early 20th century. The crate bears an image of the Drambuie bottle, which reads “The Isle of Skye Liqueur” and “A Link with the 45.” There is a crest on the right side of the label with a ribbon that reads “Remember the Gift of the Prince.” In 1745 Prince Charles Edward Stuart led an uprising to retake the British throne from the Hanoverian King George II. When the coup failed the Prince had to flee from the Isle of Skye, and legend holds that he gave the recipe of his personal golden elixir to his supporter Captain John MacKinnon, which later became Drambuie.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Drambuie Liqueur Co., Ltd.
ID Number
1979.0441.144
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.144
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
This shipping crate side contained “Orient” brand sweet mandarine oranges that was used by the National Federation of Citrus Grower’s Co-Operative Societies.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained “Orient” brand sweet mandarine oranges that was used by the National Federation of Citrus Grower’s Co-Operative Societies. There is a rising sun design on the left of the crate, linking the brand name Orient to Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Federation of Citrus Grower's Co-operative Societies
ID Number
1979.0441.193
catalog number
1979.0441.193
accession number
1979.0441
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
This shipping crate side contained Atlas Flo-Dyn Number 6 explosives manufactured by the Atlas Powder Company during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Atlas Flo-Dyn Number 6 explosives manufactured by the Atlas Powder Company during the early 20th century. The shipping crate was in use during the first half of the 20th century, and contained 4 bags of explosives that weighed 50 pounds.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Atlas Powder Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.211
catalog number
1979.0441.211
accession number
1979.0441
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
This shipping crate side contained Cascade Brand yellow cling peaches that were packed by the Western States Growers Company during the first half of the 20th century. The crate contained six gallon-sized tins of peaches.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Cascade Brand yellow cling peaches that were packed by the Western States Growers Company during the first half of the 20th century. The crate contained six gallon-sized tins of peaches.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Western States Gro. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.216
catalog number
1979.0441.216
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
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
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
This metal sap spout was used by settlers in upper New York in the 19th century. After boring a hole into a maple tree, one would insert this spout to drain sap into a bucket.
Description
This metal sap spout was used by settlers in upper New York in the 19th century. After boring a hole into a maple tree, one would insert this spout to drain sap into a bucket. Sap was typically collected and boiled down to make syrup or sugar to use an alternative to the expensive processed, cane sugar. Later, when cane sugar became cheaper and took precedence in the American diet, maple syrup was more often produced for either personal use or for supplemental income.
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
ID Number
ZZ.RSN79690Z20
accession number
194893
194893
This Glidden Varnish crate side was used by the Glidden Varnish Company of Cleveland, Ohio during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This Glidden Varnish crate side was used by the Glidden Varnish Company of Cleveland, Ohio during the early 20th century. The crate side bears the image of an Eagle-like creature on the left, with plain black text that reads “Factories Cleveland, Ohio, Toronto, Ontario/ Branches New York Chicago Boston St. Louis Atlanta.” In 1875 Francis Glidden, Levi Rackett, and Thomas Bolles started a varnish company called Glidden, Brackett & Co. In 1894 the company became the Glidden Varnish Company, and in 1917 was renamed simply the Glidden Company when it diversified its product line by adding paints.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Glidden Company
ID Number
1979.0441.142
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.142
This shipping crate side contained Derby Brand Corned Beef that was packed by Derby Foods Incorporated during the early 20th century. This corned beef is a product of Argentina, and Argentina is one of the world’s largest beef producers.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Derby Brand Corned Beef that was packed by Derby Foods Incorporated during the early 20th century. This corned beef is a product of Argentina, and Argentina is one of the world’s largest beef producers. The crate contained 24 12-ounce cans of corned beef.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Derby Foods Inc., U.S.A.
ID Number
1979.0441.219
catalog number
1979.0441.219
accession number
1979.0441
This is an end panel of a Borden’s Milk shipping crate. Gail Borden Jr. patented his method for producing condensed milk by vacuum in 1856 and established the New York Condensed Milk Company in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is an end panel of a Borden’s Milk shipping crate. Gail Borden Jr. patented his method for producing condensed milk by vacuum in 1856 and established the New York Condensed Milk Company in 1857. Borden is also renowned for establishing the “Dairyman’s Ten Commandments,” which were health and cleanliness standards that dairy farms had to adhere to in order to supply Borden with milk.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Borden Company
ID Number
1979.0441.367
catalog number
1979.0441.367
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 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
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 Buddy brand apple crate label was used by the Andrews Brothers, Detroit, Michigan during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Schmidt Lithography Company of Fresno, California. The label has a blue background with a green rim, and an illustration of a red apple and a golden apple next to the face of a smiling baby. Apple advertising would often stress the health benefits of eating apples for young children.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0441.108
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.108
This is a side panel of a R.A. Patterson seal cut plug tobacco shipping crate. The shipping crate was probably used between 1856 and 1900. R.A. Patterson Tobacco Company was founded in 1856 in Richmond, Virginia.
Description (Brief)
This is a side panel of a R.A. Patterson seal cut plug tobacco shipping crate. The shipping crate was probably used between 1856 and 1900. R.A. Patterson Tobacco Company was founded in 1856 in Richmond, Virginia. Patterson is famous for introducing the Lucky Strike brand plug (chewing) tobacco, and continued the brand as the popular Lucky Strike cigarettes. The Patterson Tobacco Company was purchased by the American Tobacco Company in 1905, but the Lucky Strike brand persists to this day.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
R. A. Patterson Tobacco Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.310
catalog number
1979.0441.310
accession number
1979.0441
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
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 Dainty Maid brand apple crate label was used by H.S.
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 Dainty Maid brand apple crate label was used by H.S. Denison & Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red background and a central illustration of a pretty young girl with ruddy cheeks. Fruit labels often used depict images of healthy young children to promote the health benefits of apples.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
H. S. Denison & Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.061
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.061

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