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

Topic: Agriculture

Apple Crate Label

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 Blue Larkspur brand apple crate label was used by the Heller Brothers Company Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington after 1928. The lithographed label was produced by Crocker-Union of Seattle, Washington. The blue label features an image of the stallion Blue Larkspur wreathed in flowers on the left of the label. Blue Larkspur was a race horse who competed from 1928-1930, and was named the American Horse of the Year in 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Heller Bros. Co., Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.026
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.026

Raisins Shipping Crate

This end panel is from a Sun-Maid Raisin shipping crate. In 1912, a group of California farmers formed the California Associated Raisin Company with the goal of stabilizing fluctuating prices in the raisin market. The cooperative introduced the Sun-Maid brand of raisins in 1914.
Description (Brief)
This end panel is from a Sun-Maid Raisin shipping crate. In 1912, a group of California farmers formed the California Associated Raisin Company with the goal of stabilizing fluctuating prices in the raisin market. The cooperative introduced the Sun-Maid brand of raisins in 1914. To capitalize on the success of the brand, the co-operative renamed itself the Sun-Maid Raisin Growers of California in 1922, which it remains today.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sun-Maid
ID Number
1979.0441.360
catalog number
1979.0441.360
accession number
1979.0441

Axle Grease Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Mica Axle Grease, produced by the Standard Oil Company of California during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 12 5-pound lithographed tins of the axle grease.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Mica Axle Grease, produced by the Standard Oil Company of California during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 12 5-pound lithographed tins of the axle grease. The grease allowed wagon axles to rotate freely and without friction, extending the life of the wagon and easing the burden on the horse.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Standard Oil
ID Number
1979.0441.315
catalog number
1979.0441.315
accession number
1979.0441

Brush Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained one dozen Moose brand scrubs manufactured by the Royal Brush & Broom Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The wooden crate side has black text.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained one dozen Moose brand scrubs manufactured by the Royal Brush & Broom Company of Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The wooden crate side has black text.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Royal Brush & Broom Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.237
catalog number
1979.0441.237
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Blue Z brand apple crate label was used by the C.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 Blue Z brand apple crate label was used by the C.M. Holtzinger Fruit Company of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. The label has a blue background, with a pale circle in the center, with a cut-out Z in the center. The apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
C. M. Holtzinger Fruit Co. LLC
ID Number
1979.0441.099
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.099

Apple Shipping Crate

This apple crate label was for fancy DB brand apples that were shipped by Duckwall Brothers Inc. of Hood River, Oregon during the early 20th century. The red and yellow label has an illustration of a colorful duck in the center.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This apple crate label was for fancy DB brand apples that were shipped by Duckwall Brothers Inc. of Hood River, Oregon during the early 20th century. The red and yellow label has an illustration of a colorful duck in the center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Duckwall Bros. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.374
catalog number
1979.0441.374
accession number
1979.0441

Matches Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side originally contained Red Seal brand matches made by the Union Match Company of Trenton, New Jersey during the early 20th century. The crate contained 5 boxes of 20 packages of these matches.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Red Seal brand matches made by the Union Match Company of Trenton, New Jersey during the early 20th century. The crate contained 5 boxes of 20 packages of these matches.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Union Match Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.279
catalog number
1979.0441.279
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950.
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 Nuchief brand apple crate label was in use from 1900-1950. The lithographed label was produced by the Schmidt L. Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has an image of a young Native American boy wearing a headdress and carrying an apple and a hatchet. There is a Smith’s Treat brand label insert on the label. These apples were grown by Smith Orchards of Pateros, Washington and distributed by Nuchief Sales, Inc. Growers, packers, and distributors in the Northwest banded together in co-operatives to secure the best price for their produce and compete with growers in other regions.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Nuchief Sales Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.077
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.077

Bevo Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side originally contained the beverage Bevo manufactured by Anheuser Busch of St. Louis, Missourri from 1916-1929.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained the beverage Bevo manufactured by Anheuser Busch of St. Louis, Missourri from 1916-1929. Bevo was one of the many “near beer” beverages created by breweries during Prohibition to maintain sales and repurpose their factories.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.348
catalog number
1979.0441.348
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Hi Buy All brand apple crate label was used by the Butler Trading Company, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed yellow label features an image of two large red apples on the branch. These apples came from Wenatchee, Washington which claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fruit Growers Service Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.027
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.027

Salt Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained salt bricks manufactured by the Leslie Salt Company of Newark, California during the first half of the 20th century. The crate contained 20 five-pound salt range bricks.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained salt bricks manufactured by the Leslie Salt Company of Newark, California during the first half of the 20th century. The crate contained 20 five-pound salt range bricks. Salt licks supply livestock with important nutrients and minerals.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Leslie Salt Company
ID Number
1979.0441.205
catalog number
1979.0441.205
accession number
1979.0441

Loganberry Crate Label

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 Riverside brand loganberry crate label was used by the McClintock-Trunkey Company of Spokane, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red background, with an inset image of a factory by a waterfall. The loganberry was hybridized by James Harvey Logan, and is a cross between a blackberry and a red raspberry.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
McClintock-Trunkey Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.100
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.100

Whisky Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained King William IV brand blended Scotch whisky that was produced by John Gillon & Company Ltd. of Glasgow, Scotland during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained King William IV brand blended Scotch whisky that was produced by John Gillon & Company Ltd. of Glasgow, Scotland during the early 20th century. The company was established in 1817, and produced this brand of Scotch until the 1980s when the Distillers Company Ltd., who owned the brand, was bought out by Guinness.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
John Gillon & Co. Ltd.
ID Number
1979.0441.186
catalog number
1979.0441.186
accession number
1979.0441

Cigar Box Label

This cigar box label was made by Hummell and Company of Binghamton, New York.
Description (Brief)
This cigar box label was made by Hummell and Company of Binghamton, New York. The label has a red background with an image of a large black bear with the text “’Bear’ in Mind.” Binghamton was a large producer of cigars from 1890-1950, before the popularity of the cigarette caused a downturn in cigar production.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Hummell and Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.341
catalog number
1979.0441.341
accession number
1979.0441

Hinges Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Stanley steel butt hinges manufactured by Stanley Works of New Britain, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The crate side bears the Stanley Works trademarks of the initials S.W. inside a heart.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Stanley steel butt hinges manufactured by Stanley Works of New Britain, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The crate side bears the Stanley Works trademarks of the initials S.W. inside a heart. Stanley was founded in 1843, and merged with Black & Decker in 2010 to form the corporation Stanley, Black & Decker.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Stanley Works
ID Number
1979.0441.357
catalog number
1979.0441.357
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 See! See!
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 See! See! Brand apple crate label was used by Washington Sales, Inc., of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Schmidt L. Company of Seattle, Washington. The label features an illustration of a boy with oversized head holding an oversized apple on a beach. This label promoted the health benefits of eating apples, showing that eating apples led to healthy, ruddy children.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Washington Sales, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.018
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.018

Cleanser Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Old Dutch Cleanser that was originally produced by the Cudahy Packing Company of California during the first half of the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Old Dutch Cleanser that was originally produced by the Cudahy Packing Company of California during the first half of the 20th century. The Old Dutch brand had a memorable logo of a Dutch maid chasing away dirt with a stick, and the crate bears the logo “makes everything spick and span.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cudahy Soap Works, U.S.A.
ID Number
1979.0441.324
catalog number
1979.0441.324
accession number
1979.0441

Evaporated Milk Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Meadow brand evaporated milk produced by the Meadowbrook Condensed Milk Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Meadow brand evaporated milk produced by the Meadowbrook Condensed Milk Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. Before refrigeration allowed fresh milk to easily be kept on hand, cans of evaporated or condensed milk were a staple of household pantries.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Meadowbrook Condensed Milk Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.213
catalog number
1979.0441.213
accession number
1979.0441

Montgomery Ward Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side was used by Montgomery Ward & Company of Chicago, Illinois during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by Montgomery Ward & Company of Chicago, Illinois during the late 19th and early 20th century. Montgomery Ward was founded in 1872 as a catalogue company that attempted to bring city goods into rural areas by allowing people to order items via mail and pick up the goods at their train station. This crate calls Montgomery Ward “The World’s Leading Outfitter” and encourages consumers to send for a catalogue.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Montgomery Ward
ID Number
1979.0441.356
catalog number
1979.0441.356
accession number
1979.0441

Orange Crate Label

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 Blue Circle brand orange crate label was used by the McDermont Fruit Company of Riverside, California during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Western Lithograph Company of Los Angeles, California. The label has a blue background with different size light blue circles, and an image of an orange labeled Sunkist. The label also has the Sunkist logo on it, a designation given to high quality oranges grown by the California Fruit Growers Exchange.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
McDermont Fruit Company
ID Number
1979.0441.120
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.120

Mucilage Shipping Crate

This is a side panel of a Sanford Manufacturing Company shipping crate that contained Sanford glue (mucilage). The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857.
Description (Brief)
This is a side panel of a Sanford Manufacturing Company shipping crate that contained Sanford glue (mucilage). The Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1857. The company relocated to Chicago in 1866 and produced ink and glue in its early years before solely manufacturing ink products and renaming itself the Sanford Ink Company in 1940. Sanford was purchased by Newell Company in 1992.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sanford Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.260
catalog number
1979.0441.260
accession number
1979.0441

Flypaper Shipping Crate

This flypaper shipping crate is imprinted with the name of the Tanglefoot Flypaper Company, “The sanitary fly destroyer, non-poisonous.” Tanglefoot was manufactured by the O&W Thum Company, founded in 1885.
Description (Brief)
This flypaper shipping crate is imprinted with the name of the Tanglefoot Flypaper Company, “The sanitary fly destroyer, non-poisonous.” Tanglefoot was manufactured by the O&W Thum Company, founded in 1885. Tanglefoot was exceptionally successful because the company’s formula of castor oil, resins, and wax did not soak through the paper and stayed sticky long enough to be stocked on store shelves. Previously, the adhesive had to be applied at the store while the costumer waited.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Tanglefoot
ID Number
1979.0441.221
catalog number
1979.0441.221
accession number
1979.0441

Explosives Shipping Crate

The Trojan Powder Company of Allentown, P.A. was founded around the turn on the 20th century. The development of dynamite, TNT, and other explosives were important for the building of the nation, as well as for its military applications in World War I.
Description (Brief)
The Trojan Powder Company of Allentown, P.A. was founded around the turn on the 20th century. The development of dynamite, TNT, and other explosives were important for the building of the nation, as well as for its military applications in World War I. Trojan was important for its discovery of Nitrostarch, which was used in grenades and mortar shells.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Trojan Powder Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.339
catalog number
1979.0441.339
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Uncle Tom brand apple crate label was used by North Western Apples during the early 20th century. This lithographed label was produced by the Traung Label Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has an illustration of a young African American child standing on a background of grass staring up at an oversized red and golden apple.
ID Number
1979.0441.065
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.065

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