Looking for your beach bod? Some new found Battle Creek Sanitarium ephemera may be able to help you out! To read more about the company check out our digital exhibit here.
Battle Creek specialized in health foods, their most famous being cornflakes. The Sanitarium promoted a grain-heavy diet without stimulants and added sugars. Battle Creek sent out colorful ephemera to doctors and wealthy patients in hopes they would visit or buy their food through the catalogs.
The Sanitarium had wealthy clients such as Mary Todd Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, and Henry Ford. They also had a league of well-to-do physicians. Pictured below is the “muscular figure” of Professor B.A. McFadden, author of McFadden’s System of Physical Training, who claims that granola and granose are superior to all other foods for strength. The Sanitarium was also meat-free so all protein was plant-based.
Battle Creek did not only give recommendations on diets, but health and fitness as well. Kellogg believed regular fitness made for a well mind, and clients were forced to exercise daily in group exercises. Kellogg’s personal favorite was wrestling.
Of course, no beach body is complete without a tan.
Battle Creek also had artificial sunbaths to help start that glow. Heliotherapy is the therapeutic use of sun and can be used to help dermatological ailments such as psoriasis or vitiligo. It can also help treat mood disorders such as seasonal effective disorder.
Included with our ephemera is a post card to book your stay at the sanitarium!
Tune in next month for our next destination!
Sources:
Heritage Battle Creek. The Battle Creek Idea. 2009.
Federal Center, Battle Creek Sanitarium. National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. 30 July 1974.
Battle Creek Sanitarium. (Medical Trade Ephemera Collection) Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.