Menu Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Menu Collection, 1939-2018, Ms2024-079, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.8 Cubic Feet 2 boxes
Abstract:
The Menu Collection contains 118 menus from across the world. The bulk of the menus are from the United States and Europe. Most of the menus are from the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century, along with some menus dating earlier in the twentieth century. The menus contain a wide variety of cuisines. The collection also contains additional papers, including restaurant business cards, a recipe pamphlet, and exchange rate document from the Icelandic bank.
Language:
Materials in this collection are primarily in English, but include multiple languages.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Menu Collection, 1939-2018, Ms2024-079, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Menu Collection contains 118 menus from across the world. The bulk of the menus are from the United States and Europe. Most of the menus are from the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century, along with some menus dating earlier in the twentieth century. The menus contain a wide variety of cuisines. The collection also contains additional papers, including restaurant business cards, a recipe pamphlet, and exchange rate document from the Icelandic bank.

Series I: Menus organizes the menus based on the country of origin. Within that, the menus are organized by the restaurant name. This information includes the restaurant and city. Some menus also include the year of the menu. The menus illustrate cuisine throughout Europe. Some of the menus come from restaurants that are hundreds of years old. There are also some menus from Egypt, Turkey, China, Japan, and South Korea. Many of the menus come from restaurants in the United States. The cover a wide range of cuisines, such as southern, Asian fusion, French, Italian, German, Thai, Vietnamese, historical, steakhouse, seafood, New American, fine dining, sandwiches and subs, and much more.

Series II: Papers includes additional documents. There is a piece of unidentified artwork and two blank folded cards. There are business cards for two Finnish restaurants in Helsinki. There is a small recipe pamphlet from King's Arm Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. There is also a 1979 exchange rate paper from the Central Bank of Iceland that shows the rates for multiple monetary values.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to Special Collection in December 2019.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Menu Collection was completed in August 2024.

Arrangement:

The collection is around in two series, Menus and Papers. Series I: Menus is organized by the country of the restaurant, and each location includes a list of the menus with cities and dates, if applicable. Series II: Papers includes additional documents that are organized by document type. Everything is arranged in alphabetical order.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
History of Food and Drink
Menus
Cookbooks