Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Minor/Harland Manuscript Recipe Book must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Minor/Harland Manuscript Recipe Book, Ms2013-043, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased by Special Collections in September 2012.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Minor/Harland Manuscript Recipe Book was completed in August 2013.

Scope and Content

The collection, a manuscript cookbook, dates to the late 19th century. Only some of the recipes are attributed. Named attributees include Mrs. E. J. Minor (it is unclear whether she created the cookbook or was simply the source for many recipes), Marion Harland (cookbook/household management author), Dr. Louis W. Minor, "mother's recipe book"/my mother, Mrs. Venable, Mrs. Gen(?) Maury, and others. The book has a full range of recipes, containing recipes for desserts, sauces, biscuits, and meat preparation, though there seems to be an emphasis on dessert recipes.

Louis W. Minor, to whom the "bed bug poison" recipe is attributed, became a physician some time around 1876, dating the manuscript no earlier than that. Only one recipe is dated (1896).

Please note: Due to the fragile nature of this item, a transcript is available as the primary method of access.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• History of Food and Drink