Picture This: Donuts in the American Visual Landscape

Donuts in the American Visual Landscape By Melissa Lindberg The Prints & Photographs Division's collections include a fair number of donut-related images that collectively demonstrate the sugary treat's long-standing presence in American culture. These rich indulgences can be seen in such varied areas of American life as roadside architecture, military history, and even public affairs. A search of the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog reveals a variety of photos featuring donut establishments across the United States, attesting to public demand for their offerings. Retro design elements are often evident in their signage. Sunrise [i.e. Sonrise] Donuts neon sign, Springfield, Illinois. Photo by John Margolies, 2003. http://bit.ly/2XufSNJ Sign for the neighborhood Krispy Kreme… in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2017. http://bit.ly/2wC05ki Some of these photographs show donut shops that no longer exist. Danny's Donuts, perhaps recognizable to long-term Washingtonians, was documented on the eve of its destruction. One wonders if the store experienced a rebirth in a new location. Danny's Donuts and other stores at 11th and E Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C., photographed before they were demolished to make way for new buildings . Carol M. Highsmith, http://bit.ly/2WfNHRm Other donut shops seem to have traveled abroad. Once a business with dozens of locations in the United States, Mister Donut has only one remaining American store, although visitors to Japan, Thailand and China may be aware that the business now has a presence in those countries. Mister Donut sign, Route 201, Waterville, Maine . Photo by John Margolies, 1984. http://bit.ly/2wEyoHt At some points in time donuts symbolized more than simply a sugary splurge. In fact, the National Donut Day celebrated every first Friday in June was established in recognition of the efforts of women who volunteered with the Salvation Army during World War I, providing soldiers with comforting fried reminders of life back home. These women were famous for their hard work and ingenuity, creating makeshift pots out of soldiers' helmets, and cutting donut dough into the requisite shape using cans and whatever other materials they had at hand. The Salvation Army was not the only organization to provide donuts to soldiers during wartime. The next two photographs show soldiers enjoying donuts provided by the American Red Cross during World War I. Something like home. Doughnuts and coffee at an American Red Cross canteen. St. Pierre des Corps (Tours). Photo from American National Red Cross photograph collection, 1918. http://bit.ly/2XufTRN American Red Cross Rest Station, Toul. Miss Mary Vail Andress, directrice. Serves coffee, chocolate, sandwiches and doughnuts to as many as 5000 soldiers a day. By request the prices are the same as charged by the French Red Cross canteens. 20 centimes an article. At American Red Cross outposts no charge whatever is made for articles distributed to troops. Sept. 1918. Photo from American National Red Cross photograph collection. http://bit.ly/2wEypev This photo shows that the donut has even been known to lurk in the halls of Congress, where Mayflower Doughnut Corp. sponsored a dunking contest in 1939. Rep. Randolph, champion dunker of Congress. Washington, D.C., May 4. Rep. Jennings Randolph of West Virginia today bent an elbow, crooked a doughnut around a finger, dunked a decided dunk into his coffee, and was declared a champ. Rep. Caroline O'Day, runner-up, presented him with the cup while B.V. Little of the Mayflower Doughnut Corp., sponsor of the contest, looks on. Rep. Randolph will be officially presented with the cup this summer at the World's Fair in the Doughnut Company's exhibit. Photo by Harris & Ewing, 1939. http://bit.ly/2XwIF4e This donut truck made an appearance at a 1915 labor strike in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It's unclear whether the truck served as a concession stand or merely provided a backdrop to a strategic conversation between union leaders. Johnson [i.e, Johnston], Keppler. Photo by Bain News Service, 1915. http://bit.ly/2ZbwGcK Although donuts are only one example, pictures have a way of reminding us that food has a way of reaching into many aspects of the American experience. Learn More View more American National Red Cross images related to donuts from the collections. Explore more views of signs in the Carol M. Highsmith Collection and in the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive. Read two other donut-forward blog posts: Feast Your Eyes: On Doughnuts Today and Caught Our Eyes: Coffee and Donuts, Anyone?  (Donuts appear to be popular with Library staff.) Published June 06, 2019 at 12:22PM Read more on https://loc.gov Manage this Applet Unsubscribe from these notifications or sign in to manage your Email Applets.