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Menus, approximately 1882-1898

 Series

Scope and Contents

This Series contains four menus from The American Hotel located in Kalamazoo, Michigan dated from ca. 1882- 1898.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1882-1898

Creator

Extent

From the Collection: 0.10 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Physical Description

This Series encompasses four menus from the American Hotel amounting to 0.05 cubic feet. Both the ca. 1882, on pale green-blue paper with red and maroon ink on one side, and the January 10th, 1890, menus are 6 ½ x 4 ½ inches. The 1890 menu is on beige paper with black ink on one side, a picture showing a drawing of a ‘whirlpool form a Canadian Bank’ on the other side. The December 29th, 1889 menu is 7 x 4 ¾ inches on thick beige paper with primarily black ink. The name of the hotel and proprietor is in the upper left-hand corner with a majority of the word American surrounded in red ink. Edges are purposely cut in an unusual pattern. The November 24th, 1898 menu is fashioned as a small booklet held together with faded baby blue ribbon. The front shows a woman walking with turkeys and the inner page unfolded contains the menu. Red staining on the lower right-hand corner of the menu. All menus include the name of the proprietor, Fred Hotop.

In general, the menues are in decent condition, all materials show signs of aging, fading, and use. The 1898 menu in particular should be handled with care due to the fraying of the ribbon.

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