Drawing to accompany application for United States Patent 3,129,317, awarded to Oscar Curtis Howard on April 14, 1964, for Heated Dinner Transport Apparatus. Oscar C. Howard papers, 1945–1990, Cafeteria and Industrial Catering Business, Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Patent application for Heated Dinner Transport Apparatus

Drawing to accompany application for United States Patent 3,129,317, awarded to Oscar Curtis Howard on April 14, 1964, for Heated Dinner Transport Apparatus. Oscar C. Howard papers, 1945–1990, Cafeteria and Industrial Catering Business, Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Tri-folded catering menu used in the late 1950s by Oscar Howard’s Catering Service.

Catering menu for Oscar Howard’s Catering Service

Tri-folded catering menu used in the late 1950s by Oscar Howard’s Catering Service.

Twin Cities Arsenal cafeteria section head Oscar C. Howard and cafeteria employees, 1957. Industrial Relations Photographs, Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant files, box 143.E.17.2F., Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Oscar C. Howard and cafeteria employees

Twin Cities Arsenal cafeteria section head Oscar C. Howard and cafeteria employees, 1957. Industrial Relations Photographs, Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant files, box 143.E.17.2F., Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Oscar C. Howard with his first car, purchased in the 1940s while he was in college. It later served as the delivery vehicle for his catering business in Minneapolis. From the Oscar C. Howard papers (P1842), Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Oscar C. Howard with his first car

Oscar C. Howard with his first car, purchased in the 1940s while he was in college. It later served as the delivery vehicle for his catering business in Minneapolis. From the Oscar C. Howard papers (P1842), Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Oscar C. Howard with his first car, purchased in the 1940s while he was in college. It later served as the delivery vehicle for his catering business in Minneapolis. From the Oscar C. Howard papers (P1842), Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Oscar C. Howard with his first car

Oscar C. Howard with his first car, purchased in the 1940s while he was in college. It later served as the delivery vehicle for his catering business in Minneapolis. From the Oscar C. Howard papers (P1842), Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Oscar C. Howard with pecan pies, ca. 1950s. From “Cafeteria and Industrial Catering Business” in the Oscar C. Howard papers (P1842), Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Oscar C. Howard with pecan piesOscar C. Howard with pecan piesOscar C. Howard with pecan pies

Oscar C. Howard with pecan pies, ca. 1950s. From “Cafeteria and Industrial Catering Business” in the Oscar C. Howard papers (P1842), Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

Howard, Oscar C. (1914–2003)

To sum up the broad scope of Oscar C. Howard’s life, one could say simply that he fed Minnesota— literally. The trained chef moved from managing large industrial cafeterias to owning successful catering businesses, which culminated in the development of the Meals on Wheels program. Many others were nourished in a more figurative sense through Howard’s teaching, mentorship, preaching, and philanthropy. Along the way, he broke through countless racial barriers, both official and unspoken.

St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company train and several railroad men, including John Wesley. Blair was an African American porter on the Eastern Minnesota train that rescued hundreds of people from the fire in Hinckley. He was honored as one of the heroes. He is second from the right in the photograph.

St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company train

St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company train and several railroad men, including John Wesley. Blair was an African American porter on the Eastern Minnesota train that rescued hundreds of people from the fire in Hinckley. He was honored as one of the heroes. He is second from the right in the photograph.

Root's engine, St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company. The engine powered the last train load of survivors out of Hinckley during the fire in 1894. Photographed ca. 1895. James Root was the engineer on the evacuation train.

Root’s engine

Root's engine, St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company. The engine powered the last train load of survivors out of Hinckley during the fire in 1894. Photographed ca. 1895. James Root was the engineer on the evacuation train.

The Brennan Lumber Company in Hinckley, Minnesota, before September 1, 1894.

Brennan lumber mill

The Brennan Lumber Company in Hinckley, Minnesota, before September 1, 1894.

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