Museum and Historical Society cement partnership

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 7, 2002

One of the most popular exhibits at the Spam Museum is an office scene.

It depicts Geo. A. Hormel, founder of the company that bears his name, talking to his son, Jay C. Hormel, who succeeded him at the helm of the original Hormel Foods Corporation.

The lifecasts are life-like, but the real items are the roll-back desk and swivel chair.

Email newsletter signup

"They're over 125 years old and came from the family who donated them to the Mower County Historical Society. "They were used in his office at the plant," said Shirley DeYoung, director of the Mower County Historical Society.

Hormel Foods Corporation has spared no effort to make the Spam Museum as complex and accurate as it can be. The desk furniture are indicative of that thoroughness.

Now, the company is paying homage to the organization that watches over Mower County history.

Shawn Radford, Spam Museum and archives manager, presented DeYoung with a plaque that will hang on a wall in the office exhibit at the museum.

"It is a special thanks to the Mower County Historical Society for their loan of the office furniture and other artifacts," Radford said.

According to DeYoung, the desk is the very first that Geo. A. Hormel used in his office as president of the meatpacker based in Austin.

The desk and a chair were part of a display at the former Spam Museum at Oak Park Mall. In addition, various plant tools were displayed.

"The office scene is the centerpiece of attention at the museum" Julie Craven, director of public relations for Hormel Foods Corporation, said. "Our archivists went over more than 60 photos of both men to ensure the accuracy of the life-casts of George and Jay."

"It's very accurate. Few people know that George was a tall man, 6-foot-2 or more and his son, Jay, was only 5-foot-8. In the scene, we see the son talking to his father about business. The desk and chair add to the authenticity of the entire scene," Craven said.

Since the museum opened last fall, 30,000 visitors have toured the storehouse of Hormel Foods treasures.

Located in a former Kmart building (now Hormel Foods' Corporate South building) along North Main Street in Austin, the high technology, state-of-the-art Spam Museum celebrates the internationally famous canned luncheon meat.

Part interactive video arcade and all fun and history, the museum has become the single most popular tourist attraction.

In the first four months of 2002, 13,000 visitors have experienced the museum's pleasures

"Forty-percent of our visitors are youth-oriented tours ranging in age from preschoolers to college students," said Radford.

In mid-June, Hormel Foods is pulling out all the stops for a festive grand opening weekend celebration at the Spam Museum.

Despite the electronic gadgetry, the museum is still first and foremost a repository of all things Hormel.

The Mower County Historical Center at the fairgrounds in southwest Austin still holds the largest single collection o Hormel Foods artifacts, according to DeYoung.

According to Craven, the partnership that has developed between Hormel Foods and the Historical Society will "go forward." The director of public relations for Hormel Foods hinted the company is interested in enlarging and enhancing its displays of authentic Hormel family and Hormel company memorabilia.

Until then, the lifecasts created by Design Craftsmen, Inc. of Michigan, the master-minds behind the Spam Museum both touch and amaze visitors.

"We've had people who knew Jay and saw him visit the museum and remark how extraordinary he looks," said Craven.

The desk and chair the father and son used as captains of the meatpacking industry make the difference.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com