Menus and ephemera related to Philadelphia restaurants, including announcements and invitations, mid-19th century. The collection was started with menus from the John A. McAllister collection and additional menus have accrued over the years. Most significantly, in 1984, Charles E. Rosenberg donated eleven menus from the anniversary dinners of the Shakespeare Society, dating from 1855 to 1874. The collection is open to new additions.
The collection consists one hundred twenty-six menus primarily from the second half of the 19th century, from Philadelphia. Includes menus from celebrations and anniversaries as well as standard bills of fare. Among the restaurants included are Parkinson's, the Continental Hotel, Merchant's Hotel, and Ebbitt House. Some menus are from Civil War commemorations. Outside of the Philadelphia area, there are menus from New York, Chicago, Niagara Falls, and Syracuse, as well as several menus from the Holland-America liner S.S. Ryndam., The collection was started with menus from the John A. McAllister collection and additional menus have accrued over the years. Most significantly, in 1984, Charles E. Rosenberg donated eleven menus from the anniversary dinners of the Shakespeare Society, dating from 1855 to 1874. The collection is open to new additions.
Creator
Library Company of Philadelphia, collector
Date
1837
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare Coll LCP Menu Collection 5763.F
