About this collection

Carol Litchfield (1936-2012) was a biologist and biochemist specifically interested in halophilic microbiology (microorganisms that live in salt rich environments). Later in her life her interest in halophiles transformed into a fascination with the history of salt, which inspired her to collect a wide range of ephemera and documentation related to salt, from images of salt production and advertisements from salt companies, to salt shakers and actual pieces of salt rock.

Litchfield's personal papers and her collection now form the Carol Litchfield collection on the history of salt (Accession 2012.219), which includes ephemera, postcards, films, advertisements, photographs, documents and objects featuring salt products. This collection has not been digitized in its entirety.

Image: Morton's Salt advertising card. Click here to view.