
H. J. Heinz Company Collection
The H.J. Heinz Company Collection, 1874-1990, contains photographic prints, advertising layouts, publications, sales training and employee information, product shipping records, photograph albums, scrapbooks, and account books that document the history of the company, the products its produced, and the family history of the founder.
Biographical / Historical Note
Henry John Heinz (1844-1919), a pioneer in the food processing industry, established Heinz, Noble & Co. in 1869 with partner L. Clarence Noble to make and sell processed foods. Horseradish was the company’s first product of a quickly expanding line....
MoreHenry John Heinz (1844-1919), a pioneer in the food processing industry, established Heinz, Noble & Co. in 1869 with partner L. Clarence Noble to make and sell processed foods. Horseradish was the company’s first product of a quickly expanding line. As the business grew, the company headquarters moved from Sharpsburg to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. However, financial difficulties forced company bankruptcy in 1875.
The following year, Henry J. Heinz established a new company, the F & J Heinz Co., with his brother John and cousin Frederick. The organization prospered and expanded both its product line and its territory, setting up branch factories across the United States. Heinz also established the first of many foreign branches in London, England, in the 1880s. By 1888, Henry J. Heinz bought out his two partners and reorganized the company under the name H.J. Heinz Company.
Henry John Heinz was closely involved with nearly every phase of the corporation. In the late 19th Century, when many food products were still sold in bulk, Heinz developed a strong corporate image, aggressively keeping the company name and trademark in the public eye with extensive and innovative advertising campaigns. By organizing his own loyal traveling sales force, Heinz appealed directly to both the retailer and the consumer, thus making the role of an anonymous wholesaler unnecessary. The Heinz sales force was one of the first to receive rigorous training in conducting in-store consumer taste tests. The company also pioneered the concept of the factory tour as a way of publicizing its products.
Heinz was a pioneer in organizing large scale production. The H.J. Heinz Co. took full advantage of new technology in continuous process machinery and the expanding transportation network. The Heinz industrial complex included preserving kitchens, bottling and packing facilities, a box factory with automatic mailing machines, and a can factory.
Henry J. Heinz insisted that properly prepared food be sanitary and chemical-free. He vigorously supported and promoted the pure food movement to set government standards for the food preservation industry, a campaign which culminated in the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.
Heinz was also an innovator in creating a clean, pleasant working environment for his employees. The physical comforts of the Heinz plant, hours, and pay were exceptional for their time. The company provided dressing rooms with showers, an employee dining room, a two-bed hospital, a library, free self-improvement courses, a gymnasium, swimming pool, and a roof garden.
In 1904, Henry John Heinz moved his Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, childhood home, the site of his first food processing company, to the Pittsburgh headquarters where it served as a company museum and stop on the visitor factory tours. In 1983, the Heinz House was moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. With the house, the Heinz Co. donated over 2,700 items, dating from the 1870s to the 1940s.
LessScope and Content Note
The H.J. HEINZ COMPANY COLLECTION (46.15 cubic ft.) documents the company’s product development, advertising campaigns, and related public relations activities. The collection of textual and graphic materials includes photographic prints, advertisement,...
MoreThe H.J. HEINZ COMPANY COLLECTION (46.15 cubic ft.) documents the company’s product development, advertising campaigns, and related public relations activities. The collection of textual and graphic materials includes photographic prints, advertisement, advertising layouts, ledgers, corporate publications, and salesmen’s manuals. Related trade catalogs, trade cards, and recipe booklets are located within other collections of like materials in the Benson Ford Research Center’s collections.
When this collection was arranged in 1993, the PHOTOPRINTS SERIES and ADVERTISING LAYOUTS SERIES were first organized by the size of the items, and then according to subject. To ease use for researchers, this arrangement has been reversed. Materials in those series are now arranged by subject, with oversize materials included after the standard sized materials. Due to this, box numbers may appear multiple times, and some subjects may be repeated, especially amongst the oversize boxes.
The H.J. HEINZ PHOTOPRINTS SERIES (9.3 cubic ft.) contains an assortment of photographic prints dating from 1870 to 1935. They convey a comprehensive picture of the company’s operations and illustrate aspects of H.J. Heinz’s personal life. Topics covered include acquaintances and friends, dwellings, exhibitions, family, farms and farming, and the H.J. Heinz Co. Of note are the many images of work being done at the H.J. Heinz factories and of the people who worked there.
The H.J. HEINZ COMPANY ADVERTISING LAYOUTS SERIES (20.25 cubic ft.) includes mock-ups for print advertisements, as well as decorative motifs and test that could be used in advertisements, that were created between 1905 and 1935. They consist of overpainted photoprints and original artwork, in ink, gouache, and paint, and many contain revisions notes to the artist written in the margins. Images of company buildings and processes, farms and farming, Heinz products, consumers and employees, and transportation were often used in these layouts.
The H.J. HEINZ COMPANY ADVERTISEMENTS SERIES (1.1 cubic ft.) contains advertisements for the business in their completed form. Consisting primarily of street car advertisements and magazine tear sheets for Heinz products, it also includes two mounted advertisements and a photostat regarding Heinz visitor tours.
The COMPANY AND PERSONAL PAPERS SERIES (3.1 cubic ft.) provides information about company operations and Heinz family interests from 1874 to 1969. Included among the records are sales training materials, employee information, and product shipping records. The materials are arranged with the early companies, Heinz, Noble & Co. and F & J Heinz, listed first. The H.J. Heinz Company papers, which comprise the majority of the series, are arranged alphabetically by type of record. Additional business records can be found in the H.J. HEINZ COMPANY BUSINESS LEDGERS SERIES.
The H.J. HEINZ COMPANY PRINTED MATERIALS SERIES (1.5 cubic ft.) includes memorials and tributes, primarily to H.J. Heinz, printed programs for a variety of company and community events, and publications of the H.J. Heinz Company. The memorials and tributes are arranged in chronological order; the programs and publications are in alphabetical order.
The H.J. HEINZ COMPANY ALBUMS AND SCRAPBOOKS SERIES (8.5 cubic ft.) documents company operations, advertising strategies, employee recognition activities, and World War II production efforts. The albums contain a variety of materials, including photographic prints, product labels, clippings, department layouts, postcards, trade cards, and booklets. While some of these books have been placed in boxes, others are shelved unboxed. For each item, a brief description of the contents and inclusive dates are provided. Individual accession numbers for each item are also given to facilitate identification and retrieval.
The H.J. HEINZ COMPANY BUSINESS LEDGERS SERIES (2.4 cubic ft.) records activities from 1876 to 1944, and includes account books, building records, sales convention records, stock inventories, and a travelers register. A brief description of the contents and inclusive dates are provided for each ledger. Individual accession numbers are also given to facilitate identification and retrieval.
LessCollection Details
Object ID: 53.41.0
Creator: H.J. Heinz Company
Inclusive Dates: 1874-1990
Bulk Dates: 1900-1935
Size: 46.15 cubic ft. (66 boxes, 27 volumes, and 1 framed item)
Language: English
Collection Access & Use
Item Location: Not Currently On Exhibit
Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research.
Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Digitized Artifacts From This Collection
In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.
"57: The Spice of Life," H. J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1901
Artifact
Booklet
Summary
The H.J. Heinz Company took pride in proving that its products were created in a pure, clean, and wholesome way. In addition to opening the factory for public tours, the company also produced publications to show readers what the factory was like. This booklet provides readers with photographs of the employees and the buildings, along with descriptions of the manufacturing process.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, New Jersey, Atlantic City
United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Object ID
53.41.1956
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
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"57: The Spice of Life," H. J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1901
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"57: The Story of the House of Heinz," London, England, circa 1932
Artifact
Booklet
Summary
H.J. Heinz built his business from the ground up, skillfully employing his principles and ideals to create one of the most successful companies in the manufactured food industry. This booklet, printed for British audiences, highlights the H.J. Heinz Company's history -- and its history of factories in Great Britain -- with an emphasis on the company's pure and clean practices.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
United Kingdom, England, London
United Kingdom, England, London, Harlesden
United Kingdom, England, London, Piccadilly
Branches (Business enterprises)
Businesses (Business enterprises)
Heinz, H. J. (Henry John), 1844-1919
Object ID
53.41.1960
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
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"57: The Story of the House of Heinz," London, England, circa 1932
What is The Henry Ford?
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"70 Years of Good Eating," H. J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1939
Artifact
Booklet
Summary
This booklet from 1939 provides readers with a history of the evolution of the H.J. Heinz Company's product line from exclusively selling horseradish to selling ready-to-serve foods like Heinz Cooked Spaghetti. It also features "behind the scenes" photographs of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania factory and a look at the various Heinz factory plants from around the world.
Creators
Keywords
United Kingdom, England, London
United States, California, Berkeley
United States, California, Corning
United States, Iowa, Muscatine
United States, Michigan, Holland
United States, New York, New York, Medina
United States, Pennsylvania, Chambersburg
United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
United States, Virginia, Winchester
Branches (Business enterprises)
Golden Gate International Exposition (1939-1940 : San Francisco, Calif.)
Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)
New York World's Fair (1939-1940 : New York, N.Y.)
Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915 : San Francisco, Calif.)
Object ID
53.41.1892
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"70 Years of Good Eating," H. J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1939
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
70th Birthday Dinner for H. J. Heinz, Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1914

70th Birthday Dinner for H. J. Heinz, Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1914
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
29 August 1923
Summary
The H.J. Heinz Company published pamphlets, brochures, and booklets that detailed the company's history and manufacturing process. This layout features a photograph of the 70th birthday dinner celebration for H.J. Heinz in 1914, held at the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, New York, New York
United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Object ID
53.41.1620
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
70th Birthday Dinner for H. J. Heinz, Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1914
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
73rd Birthday Greetings to H. J. Heinz from Shibusawa Eiichi, Tokyo, Japan, October 1, 1917
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Summary
The H.J. Heinz Company had humble beginnings in 1869 and has since become one of the most recognized names in the food industry today. This artifact, from the H.J. Heinz Company Collection, is one from The Henry Ford's sizeable collection of material dedicated to telling the company's history of innovative business practices and marketing techniques.
Creators
Place of Creation
Object ID
53.41.219
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
73rd Birthday Greetings to H. J. Heinz from Shibusawa Eiichi, Tokyo, Japan, October 1, 1917
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
A. L. Ernest Grocery Store Floor Display of Heinz Products, York, Pennsylvania, circa 1930
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
H. J. Heinz was at the forefront of creative marketing in the manufactured food industry. He developed a comprehensive advertising strategy that included elaborate product displays in local grocery stores. Shoppers were greeted with colorful posters and meticulously designed floor-to-ceiling pyramids of canned and jarred products created by Heinz salespeople.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
53.41.718
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
A. L. Ernest Grocery Store Floor Display of Heinz Products, York, Pennsylvania, circa 1930
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
"A Modern Business Structure," H. J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, circa 1910
Artifact
Booklet
Summary
By the early 1900s, the H.J. Heinz Company had become well-known in the manufactured food industry. Its success resulted in the expansion of its production and distribution operations, which in turn created a need for larger executive quarters. This booklet provides an overview of the Administration Building at the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania factory, and describes the mural decorations which adorn its walls.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, Iowa, Muscatine
United States, Michigan, Holland
United States, New Jersey, Atlantic City
United States, New York, New York, Medina
United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Object ID
53.41.1959
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
"A Modern Business Structure," H. J. Heinz Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, circa 1910
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Address to Mr. Henry J. Heinz on the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of H. J. Heinz Company, 1909

Address to Mr. Henry J. Heinz on the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of H. J. Heinz Company, 1909
Artifact
Speech (Document)
Summary
H.J. Heinz was beloved by his business colleagues and employees. This address was made to Heinz during a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the H.J. Heinz Company. The address praises Heinz for his character, determination, and success, and mentions the presentation of a commemorative cup with the hope that it would become a family heirloom and reminder of the occasion.
Creators
Object ID
53.41.2264
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Address to Mr. Henry J. Heinz on the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of H. J. Heinz Company, 1909
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Administration Building Rotunda at Heinz Main Plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
The H.J. Heinz Company's main plant was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Beginning in 1890, the company would build over 20 buildings by 1930 to create the massive complex that would become known as "The House of Heinz." This photograph was taken of the Administration Building Rotunda, where at one point, visitors were received at the factory.
Creators
Object ID
53.41.871
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H.J. Heinz Co.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Administration Building Rotunda at Heinz Main Plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.