NHS Curator, Stephanie Hess installs a reproduction of a painting that was used in some advertising for Malt-O-Meal.
See highlights from the new Malt-O-Meal collection at the Northfield Historical Society! “Malt-O-Meal Originals: An Exhibition of Firsts” opens to the public with a free reception on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments (made with Malt-O-Meal products!) will be served.
The family of John Campbell, the founder of Malt-O-Meal, recently gave a collection of historic artifacts and archives to the Northfield Historical Society. This collection documents the growth and development of the original Malt-O-Meal hot cereal and the various promotions, advertisements, additional products, and facilities of the company. By caring for this collection, NHS can preserve the legacy of Malt-O-Meal and share its stories through a series of exhibitions.
The first Malt-O-Meal exhibition on view at the NHS will showcase examples of original achievements from throughout the company’s history. The company is full of historic “firsts” like Campbell’s successful hot cereal. Visitors will see images and artifacts showing the first plants and workers, the first customers, the first sales and products, the first radio promotion, the first new products, the first famous television advertisement, and the first production facility built outside of Minnesota. These stories will create a snapshot of key moments from the history of this company that has meant so much in the community of Northfield.
“Malt-O-Meal Originals” will be on view in the NHS’s new display space, part of the generous donation from John Campbell’s family, for an entire year. The Society will feature additional thematic exhibits in 2017 and 2018 before celebrating the centennial of the company with a major exhibition in 2019.