Harrisonburg menus

Access and use

Location of collection:
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Harrisonburg Menus, circa 1932-1942, SC 0362, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Collection context

Summary

Extent:
0.1 cubic feet 1 folder
Creator:
Dolly Madison Tea Room, The Valley Candy Kitchen (1932-1936), Green Valley Auctions, Inc., and Bowman, Douglas, 1948-2023
Abstract:
Two menus for Dolly Madison Tea Room and The Valley Candy Kitchen, defunct Harrisonburg restaurants.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Harrisonburg Menus, circa 1932-1942, SC 0362, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Two menus for Dolly Madison Tea Room and The Valley Candy Kitchen, defunct Harrisonburg restaurants. Both menus include food and drink options with corresponding prices.

Biographical / historical:

Local caterer Edith A. Dovel (1884-1945) opened the Dolly Madison Tea Room in May 1938. The Tea Room was located at 270 S. Main Street in Harrisonburg. Madison College students frequented the Tea Room, using the space for class and club dinners and sorority parties. It was in operation until at least 1942, per newspaper advertisements, but was likely closed by 1945 due to Dovel's death.

Harrisonburg resident I.E. Dickenson (1884-1955) established The Valley Candy Kitchen, located at the corner of Newman Ave. and S. Main Street in the News-Record Building, in 1932 after he purchased the stock and goodwill of George's Candy Kitchen which operated at the same location. The Valley Candy Kitchen closed in 1936.

Acquisition information:
Purchased at Green Valley Auctions December 5th, 2023 sale of the Doug Bowman Estate.
Appraisal information:

Two non-Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley items that were part of the acquired lot were not retained.

Custodial history:

From the estate of Doug Bowman, local collector of Harrisonburg memorabilia.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard