Two Spoons with Bowls Filled with History
By Bill Boyd

The year 2000 is a cause for celebration in Kansas City, Missouri. The City is in the midst of celebrating its 150th birthday. It is also the 100th year since a convention hall the City was preparing for the Democratic National Convention burned to the ground and was rebuilt in three months. Everyone but the people of Kansas City said the hall could not be rebuilt in time for the Convention. Kansas Citians said, "we don't know the word "impossible." Pledges of $100 to pennies for the rebuilding came in from all over the City and far away places that felt the sorrow of such a blow. Companies delivering supplies realized they could do the impossible too, if they were asked. On July 4, 1900 the Democratic National Convention opened on schedule in the restored hall. Carnegie Steel came through with materials for a project they felt could not be finished in the time frame needed. Other cities tried to steal the Convention away from Kansas City. Workers worked around the clock. In no time since has a building of that magnitude been erected in ninety days.

The two spoons shown are unique in that one has an embossed view of the new hall and the other an engraved view both from the very same angle. Spoon one (shown top) was made by Paye & Baker. Starting at the top of the handle is the Missouri State Seal, below farmers work the fields, a mule's head, wheat, MISSOURI, and an ear of corn complete the obverse of the handle. The back of the handle shows the American Eagle and U.S. Flag. Under the engraved view of the Convention Hall it is engraved, "Assembly '08 Kansas City." That date must have been the year of an important gathering as it was eight years after the hall opened. Spoon two (shown bottom) has an embossed view of the building in the bowl. It was made by Alvin. The handle has KANSAS CITY, MO. on the stem and shows "The New Custom House and Post Office, Pergola on the Paseo," and a steer's head. The reverse is plain. The miracle of 1900 was demolished in 1930 and replaced by the Municipal Auditorium which is still in constant use along with its huge modern addition. A few plaques honor the old Convention Hall as reminders of what a city can do when it says to its self and everyone, “nothing is impossible”.

Here is another story out of Kansas City history and of special interest to collectors of Fred Harvey spoons in particular. Fred Harvey created a company like no other. He organized the first national chain of hotels and restaurants. The project changed the lives of many young women who qualified to work for him as a "Harvey Girl." Remember the movie?! He constructed buildings that are now considered National Historic Landmarks. Harvey was responsible for changing the image of the American Southwest forever.

Harvey's collection of Indian art and artifacts was so renowned that William Randolph Hearst badgered him to sell a portion of the collection for his San Simeon castle in California. Much of the company's story has faded into history. Harvey's national headquarters was located in Kansas City. As a child, I had a meal at the Harvey House restaurant in the Union Station which has just been completely renovated and is a new jewel in Kansas City's crown. Come see!

Coming soon is the National Fred Harvey Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas. It will be located in the house where Harvey and his family lived and he died. The Museum has been in the works for two years and is located at Seventh and Olive. Over $500,000 in Harvey artifacts has been donated to the Museum.

Article and illustration courtesy of Spooners Forum, August 2000 issue.