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TABLESPOON
[Food Service Tools and Equipment]


Accession Number: 2008.49.193

Physical Description: Priscilla pattern tablespoon manufactured by the Meriden Britannia Company of Meriden, Connecticut. This spoon is stamped on the handle with the Fred Harvey name, indicating that it was used in Fred Harvey restaurants. In 1876, Fred Harvey established a chain of restaurants, located at railroad meal stops, that provided quality food and service to travelers on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Though born in Scotland, Harvey settled in Leavenworth, Kansas, after the Civil War when a railroad job relocated him there. His job required much travel by rail, and he found the food on his trips unsatisfying. This led him to develop the Fred Harvey Company and establish a line of restaurants. He is credited with founding the first chain of restaurants in the United States. The company operated until the 1960s under the leadership of Harvey's sons and grandsons.

History of Object: Donor was a collector of tableware used in Fred Harvey restaurants. In 1876, Fred Harvey established a chain of restaurants, located at railroad meal stops, that provided quality food and service to travelers on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Though born in Scotland, Harvey settled in Leavenworth, Kansas, after the Civil War when his job with a railroad relocated him there. His job required much travel by rail, and he found the food on his trips unsatisfying. This led him to develop the Fred Harvey Company and establish a line of restaurants. He is credited with founding the first chain of restaurants in the US.

Date: 1900

Dimensions (in cm): 17.90 (H) 3.30 (W) 0.30 (D)

Marks/Inscriptions: [back of handle] MERIDEN BRITA. CO. XII 9 // [front of handle] Fred Harvey //

Index Terms

Associations and Subjects

    Theme/topic: Restaurants
    Theme/topic: Railroads
    Origin, Place of: Meriden (Conn.)
    Business / Organization: Fred Harvey (Firm)

Creators and Contributors

    Meriden Britannia Company

Status: Cataloged

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