Food

Photo of McCall's Cheese

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

Resource Type: Photographs

The Bar at the Four Seasons

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Falk, Sam
ID Number
PG.69.99.064
accession number
281224
catalog number
69.99.64

Cherry Pie

A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro photograph of cherry pie.Verso: Muray label. Three Muray stamps. "Holiday Magazine" (black marker).Nickolas Muray was born in Szeged, Hungary on February 15, 1892.
Description (Brief)
A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro photograph of cherry pie.
Verso: Muray label. Three Muray stamps. "Holiday Magazine" (black marker).
Description
Nickolas Muray was born in Szeged, Hungary on February 15, 1892. Twelve years after his birth, Muray left his native town and enrolled in a graphic arts school in Budapest. Enrolling in art school was the first step on a road that would eventually lead him to study a photographic printing process called three-color carbro. In the course of his accomplished career, Muray would become an expert in this process and play a key role in bringing color photography to America.
While attending art school in Budapest, Muray studied lithography and photoengraving, earning an International Engraver's Certificate. Muray was also introduced to photography during this time period. His combined interest in photography and printmaking led him to Berlin, Germany to participate in a three-year color-photoengraving course. In Berlin, Muray learned how to make color filters, a first step in the craft that would one day become his trademark. Immediately after the completion of the course, Muray found a good job with a publishing company in Ullstein, Germany. However, the threat of war in Europe forced Muray to flee for America in 1913. Soon after his arrival in New York, Muray was working as a photoengraver for Condé Nast. His specialty was color separations and half-tone negatives.
By 1920, Muray had established a home for himself in the up-and-coming artists' haven of Greenwich Village. He opened a portrait studio out of his apartment and continued to work part time at his engraving job. Harper's Bazaar magazine gave Muray his first big assignment in 1921. The project was to photograph Broadway star Florence Reed. The magazine was so impressed with his photographs that they began to publish his work monthly. This allowed him to give up his part time job and work solely as a photographer. It did not take long for Muray to become one of the most renowned portrait photographers in Manhattan. Muray spent much of the early 1920s photographing the most famous and important personalities in New York at the time.
In his spare time Muray enjoyed fencing. In 1927, he won the National Sabre Championship and in 1928 and 1932, he was on the United States Olympic Team. During World War II, Muray was a flight lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
n.d.
maker
Muray, Nickolas
ID Number
PG.69.247.18
catalog number
69.247.18
accession number
287542

Testing Fruit

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1896
maker
Latimer, Horace A.
ID Number
PG.003600
accession number
69215
catalog number
3600

Pressed Duck

A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro photograph of dishes of food. The food is served in silver and crystal dinnerware atop a green tablecloth.Verso: Muray label. Three Muray stamps. "Holiday Magazine" (black marker).Nickolas Muray was born in Szeged, Hungary on February 15, 1892.
Description (Brief)
A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro photograph of dishes of food. The food is served in silver and crystal dinnerware atop a green tablecloth.
Verso: Muray label. Three Muray stamps. "Holiday Magazine" (black marker).
Description
Nickolas Muray was born in Szeged, Hungary on February 15, 1892. Twelve years after his birth, Muray left his native town and enrolled in a graphic arts school in Budapest. Enrolling in art school was the first step on a road that would eventually lead him to study a photographic printing process called three-color carbro. In the course of his accomplished career, Muray would become an expert in this process and play a key role in bringing color photography to America.
While attending art school in Budapest, Muray studied lithography and photoengraving, earning an International Engraver's Certificate. Muray was also introduced to photography during this time period. His combined interest in photography and printmaking led him to Berlin, Germany to participate in a three-year color-photoengraving course. In Berlin, Muray learned how to make color filters, a first step in the craft that would one day become his trademark. Immediately after the completion of the course, Muray found a good job with a publishing company in Ullstein, Germany. However, the threat of war in Europe forced Muray to flee for America in 1913. Soon after his arrival in New York, Muray was working as a photoengraver for Condé Nast. His specialty was color separations and half-tone negatives.
By 1920, Muray had established a home for himself in the up-and-coming artists' haven of Greenwich Village. He opened a portrait studio out of his apartment and continued to work part time at his engraving job. Harper's Bazaar magazine gave Muray his first big assignment in 1921. The project was to photograph Broadway star Florence Reed. The magazine was so impressed with his photographs that they began to publish his work monthly. This allowed him to give up his part time job and work solely as a photographer. It did not take long for Muray to become one of the most renowned portrait photographers in Manhattan. Muray spent much of the early 1920s photographing the most famous and important personalities in New York at the time.
In his spare time Muray enjoyed fencing. In 1927, he won the National Sabre Championship and in 1928 and 1932, he was on the United States Olympic Team. During World War II, Muray was a flight lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
n.d.
maker
Muray, Nickolas
ID Number
PG.69.247.17
catalog number
69.247.17
accession number
287542

Pouring Milk

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mortensen, William
ID Number
PG.004746.6
accession number
194219
catalog number
4746.6

Sushi Bar Photograph, 2001

The color photograph from 1991 shows the supermarket display counter for the sushi products of the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation. Above the counter is a red banner with a bold “SUSHI” printed in the center.
Description
The color photograph from 1991 shows the supermarket display counter for the sushi products of the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation. Above the counter is a red banner with a bold “SUSHI” printed in the center. The pre-packaged products are displayed in an open refrigerated space. Underneath the “special new items” section on the left part of the display are several pre-packaged rolls. To the right are other pre-packaged sushi products, holding a variety of rolls and a few nigiri. Containers of wasabi and gari (ginger) are lined up behind the pre-packaged sushi products. The clear glass coolers directly above hold a variety of fresh raw fish. The signs placed on the counter illustrate the variety of sushi that can be prepared behind the counter for orders.
In the photo, the employee is wearing a red and white AFC uniform which consists of a white and red collared top, red and white cap, and a red bib-style apron. Though the refrigerated area holds plenty of pre-packaged sushi that are available for immediate purchase, the sushi chef is there to satisfy special orders that are not available in the pre-packaged selection and guarantees that they are freshly made. The sushi chef stands behind the bar and prepares the sushi in a space that is visible to the curious customers. If a certain pre-packaged product is running low, the sushi chef assures that more are made. With a systematic management and training process, AFC is able to maintain consistency in their products regardless of store location and employee. The sushi bar is typically managed by one or two employees.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1991
maker
Kodak Corp.
ID Number
2012.0182.13a
accession number
2012.0182
catalog number
2012.0182.13a

Children at dinner table

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1907
ID Number
2017.0219.0019
accession number
2017.0219
catalog number
2017.0219.0019

Praise the Bratwurst, Wild Turkey Festival

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2004
date printed
2010
maker
Raab, Susana
ID Number
2018.0016.0004
accession number
2018.0016
catalog number
2018.0016.0004

Young boy with birthday cake

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2007.0211.38.323
accession number
2007.0211
catalog number
2007.0211.38.323

Man leaning against wall

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0052
catalog number
2017.0306.0052
accession number
2017.0306

Bicycle in front of pizza restaurant

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0034
accession number
2017.0306
catalog number
2017.0306.0034

Super-Soda

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2006
date printed
2010
maker
Raab, Susana
ID Number
2018.0016.0006
accession number
2018.0016
catalog number
2018.0016.0006

Man and woman at diner booth

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0056
catalog number
2017.0306.0056
accession number
2017.0306

Sushi Display Photograph, 1991

The photograph shows a display of sushi products prepared for sale in American supermarkets by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation based in California.
Description
The photograph shows a display of sushi products prepared for sale in American supermarkets by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation based in California. Four of the boxes show a combination of nigiri and maki sushi; the others contain assortments of California rolls and other sliced roll-style sushi. The sushi packages are made of a black plastic base with a clear plastic top. With a standardized cooking procedure and a systematic training program, AFC’s pre-packed sushi products are to be identical in quality regardless of its location.
The concept of pre-packaged sushi in America was introduced by Ryuji Ishii in 1986. His mission was to introduce fresh packaged sushi to supermarkets in America and make it readily accessible to consumers, the same way that it had always been available to him at supermarkets in Japan. The California roll was a safe introductory sushi type that catered toward American taste as it didn’t contain raw fish.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1991
maker
Kodak Corp.
ID Number
2012.0182.13d
accession number
2012.0182
catalog number
2012.0182.13d

Annapolis Fish Market & Raw Bar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0054
catalog number
2017.0306.0054
accession number
2017.0306

Women in uniform, seated in a semi-circle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
ID Number
2017.0309.0011
accession number
2017.0309
catalog number
2017.0309.0011

Supermarket Sushi Counter Photograph, 1991

This color photograph from 1991 shows one of Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation’s many sushi counter displays in American supermarkets. The sushi counter is located next to the cheese counter within the supermarket.
Description
This color photograph from 1991 shows one of Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation’s many sushi counter displays in American supermarkets. The sushi counter is located next to the cheese counter within the supermarket. Above the sushi counter is a white board with “Sushi” written on it in blue. The open refrigerated space holds pre-packaged sushi products along with containers of wasabi and gari (ginger). Directly above is a clear glass cooler that stores the fresh raw fish that are used to prepare pre-packaged sushi products and special orders behind the counter. The counter displays various images of sushi that can be ordered ranging from nigiri to rolls.
Though the refrigerated area holds plenty of pre-packaged sushi that are available for immediate purchase, the sushi chef is there to satisfy special orders that are not available in the pre-packaged selection and guarantees that they are freshly made. If a certain pre-packaged product is running low, the sushi chef assures that more are made. The sushi chef stands behind the bar and prepares the sushi in a space that is visible to the curious customers. With a systematic management and training process, AFC is able to maintain consistency in their products regardless of store location and employee. The counter is operated by one AFC employee.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1991
maker
Kodak Corp.
ID Number
2012.0182.13b
accession number
2012.0182
catalog number
2012.0182.13b

Man at counter in diner

black and white photograph; man wearing a short sleeve plaid shirt, dark pants and cap is seated at a counter in a diner; man to his right; two stools to his left are empty; he is pointing with his left hand at the empty plates to his left; jukebox on wall in backgroundCurrently
Description (Brief)
black and white photograph; man wearing a short sleeve plaid shirt, dark pants and cap is seated at a counter in a diner; man to his right; two stools to his left are empty; he is pointing with his left hand at the empty plates to his left; jukebox on wall in background
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0123
accession number
2017.0306
catalog number
2017.0306.0123

Sushi Counter Photograph

The photograph shows the sushi counter display in what appears to be a gourmet food store or liquor establishment. There are no pre-packaged sushi trays at the counter.
Description
The photograph shows the sushi counter display in what appears to be a gourmet food store or liquor establishment. There are no pre-packaged sushi trays at the counter. An employee dressed in a red and white striped shirt, a red apron and a red and white cap, stands behind a case of sushi-making materials while preparing sushi for a customer. An image of a sushi platter is displayed on the counter, suggesting the types of products that can be ordered. Another employee, an Asian male dressed in a white shirt and red tie, also stands behind the counter. A red and white sushi sign hangs above a large fan and a microwave, and other Japanese artifacts such as dolls and lanterns are also on display to create a ‘Japanese’ feel to the space.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1991
maker
Kodak Corp.
ID Number
2012.0182.13f
accession number
2012.0182
catalog number
2012.0182.13f

Men at produce stand

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0062
catalog number
2017.0306.0062
accession number
2017.0306

Man and woman behind lunch counter

black and white photograph; man and woman behind a lunch counter; counter with stools in front of it and condiments and napkin holders on top; man is at left, seated with right elbow resting on counter and head resting in right hand, he is wearing a cordouroy blazer, collared shi
Description (Brief)
black and white photograph; man and woman behind a lunch counter; counter with stools in front of it and condiments and napkin holders on top; man is at left, seated with right elbow resting on counter and head resting in right hand, he is wearing a cordouroy blazer, collared shirt, glasses and a hat; woman is standing to the right of him, looking down at a salt shaker in front of her, she is wearing a button down shirt, skirt and cardigan; sign on wall behind them advertising menu with prices
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0141
catalog number
2017.0306.0141
accession number
2017.0306

Apathetic Baby in grocery cart

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
maker
Zalesky, Roy Joseph
ID Number
2017.0306.0111
accession number
2017.0306
catalog number
2017.0306.0111

Woman in uniform lining a buffet table

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
ID Number
2017.0309.0008
accession number
2017.0309
catalog number
2017.0309.0008

group having a picnic

double exposed photographCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
double exposed photograph
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2017.0281.0020
accession number
2017.0281
catalog number
2017.0281.0020

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