Alvin A. Dunivent Photographs and Papers
Photographs and papers relating to Alvin A. "Don" Dunivent's years of employment with White Castle eating houses along with some family related material.
Biographical / Historical Note
Alvin Alonzo "Don" Dunivent (1897-1977) began working for the White Castle System of Eating Houses, Corporation in 1927. Starting out as an operator working the front counter and flipping burgers, Dunivent became the Assistant Manager for the Kansas City, MO location three years later. By the mid-1930s, he was the Supervisor of the St. Louis, Mo area for the company, working for White Castle System, Inc. until the 1950s.
Scope and Content Note
The Alvin A. Dunivent collection dating from 1904 to 1959 (predominately 1917 to 1936) includes family papers relating to Alvin Dunivent and Mabel Lindsey's courtship and marriage in 1919, family portrait photographs, as well as material relating to "Don"...
MoreThe Alvin A. Dunivent collection dating from 1904 to 1959 (predominately 1917 to 1936) includes family papers relating to Alvin Dunivent and Mabel Lindsey's courtship and marriage in 1919, family portrait photographs, as well as material relating to "Don" Dunivent's years with White Castle® eating houses. This collection also comprises papers and photographs relating to White Castle restaurants, employees and managers, and company bowling leagues and picnics. This archival collection was given to The Henry Ford by his great-grandnephew on the Lindsey side of the family.
LessCollection Details
Object ID: 2012.30.0
Creator: Dunivent, Alvin Alonzo, 1897-1977
Inclusive Dates: 1904-1959
Bulk Dates: 1917-1936
Size: 0.4 cubic ft. and 1 oversize box
Language: English
Collection Access & Use
Item Location: Benson Ford Research Center
Access Restrictions: The photographs and papers are open for research.
Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Steven and Brandy Lindsey.
Digitized Artifacts From This Collection
In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.
Alvin A. Dunivent outside the White Castle Plant in Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1930
Summary
White Castle System developed fast food restaurants known for cleanliness, quality, and customer service starting in the 1920s. The company also provided motivated staff opportunity for managerial positions. Alvin "Don" Dunivent started cooking hamburgers at one of the eating houses in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1927. This job led him to a career as a regional supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri.
Creators
Place of Creation
Object ID
2012.30.5
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Steven and Brandy Lindsey.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Alvin A. Dunivent outside the White Castle Plant in Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
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.
Business Card for Alvin A. Dunivent, Supervisor, White Castle System, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, 1935
Details
Business Card for Alvin A. Dunivent, Supervisor, White Castle System, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, 1935
Artifact
Business card
Date Made
1935
Summary
White Castle System developed fast food restaurants known for cleanliness, quality, and customer service starting in the 1920s. The company also provided motivated staff opportunity for managerial positions. Alvin "Don" Dunivent started cooking hamburgers at one of the eating houses in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1927. This job led him to a career as a regional supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
2012.30.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Steven and Brandy Lindsey.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Business Card for Alvin A. Dunivent, Supervisor, White Castle System, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, 1935
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.
Magazine, "The White Castle House Organ," September-October 1932
Artifact
Magazine (Periodical)
Date Made
1932
Summary
White Castle System developed fast food restaurants known for cleanliness, quality, and customer service starting in the 1920s. The company also provided motivated staff opportunity for managerial positions. Alvin "Don" Dunivent started cooking hamburgers at one of the eating houses in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1927. This job led him to a career as a regional supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
2012.30.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Steven and Brandy Lindsey.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Magazine, "The White Castle House Organ," September-October 1932
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.
Orville "Abie" Best and Alvin "Don" Dunivent Working in a White Castle Restaurant, Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
Details
Orville "Abie" Best and Alvin "Don" Dunivent Working in a White Castle Restaurant, Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1927
Summary
White Castle System developed fast food restaurants known for cleanliness, quality, and customer service starting in the 1920s. The company also provided motivated staff opportunity for managerial positions. Alvin "Don" Dunivent started cooking hamburgers at one of the eating houses in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1927. This job led him to a career as a regional supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri.
Keywords
Object ID
2012.30.3
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Steven and Brandy Lindsey.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Orville "Abie" Best and Alvin "Don" Dunivent Working in a White Castle Restaurant, Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
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.
Orville "Abie" Best and Alvin "Don" Dunivent outside a White Castle Restaurant, Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
Details
Orville "Abie" Best and Alvin "Don" Dunivent outside a White Castle Restaurant, Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1927
Summary
White Castle System developed fast food restaurants known for cleanliness, quality, and customer service starting in the 1920s. The company also provided motivated staff opportunity for managerial positions. Alvin "Don" Dunivent started cooking hamburgers at one of the eating houses in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1927. This job led him to a career as a regional supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri.
Keywords
Object ID
2012.30.4
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Steven and Brandy Lindsey.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Orville "Abie" Best and Alvin "Don" Dunivent outside a White Castle Restaurant, Kansas City, Missouri, 1927
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.
Wedding Anniversary Portrait of Mabel and Alvin A. Dunivent, 1929
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1929
Summary
White Castle System developed fast food restaurants known for cleanliness, quality, and customer service starting in the 1920s. The company also provided motivated staff opportunity for managerial positions. Alvin "Don" Dunivent started cooking hamburgers at one of the eating houses in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1927. This job led him to a career as a regional supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2012.55.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Steven and Brandy Lindsey.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Wedding Anniversary Portrait of Mabel and Alvin A. Dunivent, 1929
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.
