Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Archives Center Menu Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1391
Dates:
1937-2017
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
3.5 Cubic feet
4 boxes
Repository:
Collection consists of restaurant menus ranging from 1937 to 2016 from the Unites States, Canada, as well as cruise ships.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
A collection of resetaurant menus from 1937 to 1999, but with the majority from the 1950s. While a large number are from California, especially the Los Angeles area, the menus come from twenty U.S. states, plus the Virgin Islands, Canada, and a few are from cruise ships. The menus tend to be picturesque or have colorful illustrations. Cowboy and western themes are emphasized and some of the menus are in novel or odd shapes. Some menus from famous restaurants are included such as Palmer House in Chicago, Old Original Bookbinders in Philadelphia, and Tavern on the Green in New York.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Collection is arranged alphabetically by restaurant name into file comprising 1 series.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Largely from the 1950s, these menus are evidence of American imagery, food prices, and food culture.

Administration

Author
Holly Nelson
Processing Information
Collection processed by Holly Nelson.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Immediate source of acquisition unknown.
Custodial History
The collection was sent anonymously and unsolicited to the National Museum of American History in 2016. In 2017, Brian H. Ford donated an addition to this collection. Also in 2017, the Morris Communications Company donated an additional two cubic feet of menus gathered as part of research on the Washington, D.C. restaurant scene.
Accruals
Donors to this collection include unknown donor, Brian H. Ford and The Morris Communications Company.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Archives Center Menu Collection, 1937-1999, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
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.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Cruise ships Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fans (costume accessories) Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Menus Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Postcards Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Restaurants Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ford, Brian H. Personal 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