New York, N.Y., July 9—The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History officially accepted objects and archival records that reflect the 60-year history of Nordic Ware, a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of cookware products at a special donation ceremony today at the Fancy Food Show.
The Nordic Ware collection will document changes in how Americans prepared their foods in the second half of the 20th century as well as address themes of invention and entrepreneurship.
"Innovation and invention have been a key part of Nordic Ware's success," said Brent D. Glass, director of the National Museum of American History. "These materials will be a valuable addition to the museum's collections, joining such objects as the Tupperware business archives and extensive product examples, a 1928 commercial bread-slicing machine and a Krispy Kreme "Ring King" donut-making machine."
Among the 36 objects coming to the museum are an original cast aluminum "Bundt" pan—the firm's signature product—production molds and products from the company's early "ethnic" (Scandinavian) line of cookware, as well as a display board made by Nordic Ware founder H. David Dalquist in the 1940s. The collection also includes archival records, such as early handwritten financial records, photographs, brochures, product designs, engineering drawings, catalogs, recipe files and company correspondence. Nordic Ware remains a family-owned and operated company and is one of only a few cookware manufacturers based in the United States.
A selection of the Nordic Ware collection will be on temporary display in the museum's "Treasures of American History" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum starting July 12.
The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. The museum is closed for major renovations, and will re-open in summer 2008. For more information, visit the museum's Web site at https://americanhistory.si.edu or call (202) 633-1000, (202) 357-1729 (TTY).
Valeska Hilbig,
Smithsonian
C: (202) 309-2152,
O: (202) 633-3129
Katie Welch-Peterson,
Nordic Ware
O: (952) 294-9814
Dana Norsten,
Nordic Ware
C: (651) 983-4844