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Menus, 1883-1888

 Series

Scope and Contents

This Series is composed of three full menus and two detached menu covers belonging to the Kalamazoo House, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan ca. 1883-1888.

Menus include various food items served in the Kalamazoo House during the 1880s. Such food items include loin of young black bear, Tutti Fruti ice cream, wild pigeon, red squirrel pot pie, quail, and roast mallard duck.

Dates

  • Creation: 1883-1888

Creator

Extent

.05 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Physical Description

This Series occupies 0.05 cubic feet and includes menus and detached covers from the Kalamazoo House. The two detached covers are 4 ½ x 4 ½ inches each. One is on yellow paper and includes the slightly protruding image of a young girl in a hat. The other is on pink-red paper with a slightly protruding image of a fan decorated in silver ink and showing small cherub like figures. Both covers say Kalamazoo House an include the names of the proprietors, Avery & Miller.

The New Years Day menu from 1888 is detached from its cover which shows a small cottage covered in snow and includes the name of the establishment, location, and proprietors. The menu is written in blue ink and on beige paper.

The Menu dated in 1887 includes a protruding segment showing gnomes and a flamingo, the front includes the name of the proprietor, location, and name of the establishment. Menu is on beige paper with black ink.

The 1888 and 1887 menus are both 7 x 4 ¼ inches. The 1883 menu is cut in the shape of a butterfly and the front is decorated to look like such. The back includes the menu in black ink as well as the proprietor and name of the establishment, its rough dimensions are ca. 6 x 4 inches.

The menus are in moderate condition, the 1887 menu should be handled with extreme care to prevent separation along the fold line. Collection shows sign of yellowing and staining, information is clearly visible.

The menu dated approximately 1881-1884 measures 4”x3 ¼” and is in the shape of a fan. On the front is an illustration of two children looking at snails sitting on a brick wall. The background is silver and the figures and other items in the drawing are in red. The other side has a printed menu for Sunday lunch including drinks, fish, cold meats, relishes, bread and fruit. A note at the bottom states “Sunday Dinner, 5 c’clock.” At the base are the words, “Kalamazoo House, R.P. Emerson, Prop.” The fan is in good shape.There are no folds. There is a slight bit of wear on the menu side but the words are still legible.

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490