Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Food Preservation and Home Canning Literature, 1883-1980

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1061
Creators:
Green, Mary E.
Dates:
1883-1980
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
2.5 Cubic feet
6 boxes and 1 map-folder
Repository:
Over a period of approximately 25 years, Dr. Mary Eloise Green of Ohio State University collected a wide variety of materials pertaining to food preservation and home canning techniques. She acquired associated pamphlets, manuals, and recipe booklets from companies as well as governmental agencies.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This collection contains printed materials on various aspects of food preservation, which includes canning, pickling, freezing, and other methods. Recipe books, instruction manuals, posters, brochures and pamphlets issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, by manufacturers of food products, and by manufacturers of canning and preserving products and devices; also newsletters published by bottle and jar collecting hobby groups. A large percentage of the publications in the collection were published during World War II, and relate to preserving food to ensure an adequate food supply during the war years.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series.
Series 1, Product Literature, 1880s-1970s
Series 2, Price Guides, 1970-1977
Series 3, General Publications, 1934-1980
Series 4, Posters, undated

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Dr. Mary E. Green, a professor in the Food and Nutrition Division of the School of Economics at Ohio State University, studied and collected documentation and artifacts pertaining to the home preservation of food.

Administration

Author
Robert Ageton (volunteer) and Beatrice Kelly (intern); supervised by Alison Oswald, archivist.
Processing Information
Processed by Robert Ageton (volunteer) and Beatrice Kelly (intern), 2009; supervised by Alison Oswald, archivist.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated by Mary E. Green on October 1, 1976.
Custodial History
Transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Work and Industry in 2006.
Separated Materials
The Division of Work and Industry holds artifacts related to this collection (Accession #322793) including canning jars and food preservation devices.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Preferred Citation
Food Preservation and Home Canning Literature Collection, 1883-1980, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Related Materials
Researchers should also consult the Louisan E. Mamer Rural Electrification Administration Papers, 1927-2002 (AC #862).

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Cookery, American Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuals Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Frozen foods Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Canning and preserving Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Food industry and trade Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Food conservation Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
World War, 1939-1945 -- Food supply Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Posters Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pamphlets Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Newsletters Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Extractive Industries Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu