The International Museum of Dinnerware Design

06/02/2026

Read about IMoDD in Tableware International Magazine.
IMoDD Director Margaret Carney was interviewed this month about the founding of the museum and the museum's collections.

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.

05/30/2026

Look who came to see the Ashtray exhibition at The International Museum of Dinnerware Design — Paul Wilson, the founder of The Ashtray Museum in West Fulton, NY!

05/26/2026

Save the Date,
Thursday, July 9th - 4:30 to 7:30 pm,

Opening Reception
"Collecting by Design"

During the exhibition reception a Cousins Maine Lobster truck will be in front of the museum on Broadway with delicious refreshments available for purchase.

This exhibition highlights new acquisitions received since the museum’s
relocation to Kingston two years ago.

Exhibition Dates: July 9 - Sept 6, 2026, Thursday-Sunday noon-5 p.m.

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Email from The Dinnerware Museum Save the Date Thursday, July 9th - 4:30 to 7:30 pm Opening Reception Collecting by Design During the exhibition reception a Cousins Maine Lobster truck will be in fron

05/24/2026

Join us at our "Ashtray" exhibition, open until June 29! This unique showcase explores the fascinating intersection of dining and smoking, promising to delight and inform visitors. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking experience! Group tours available by appointment.

Image: Pediatrician's office ca. 1959, advertising ashtray with baby footprints distributed by Similac, and Wiesner of Miami mother-of-pearl vanity set with cigarette case and pocket ashtray.


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Email from The Dinnerware Museum Ashtray Open through June 29 Thursday - Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 pm Ashtray explores the intersection between dining and smoking. Museum visitors should prepare to be delig

05/22/2026

New IMoDD Video:
"Blooks: the Quirky World of Culinary Objects in Book Form,"
From the collection of and presented by Mindell Dubansky
part of the IMoDD Unforgettable Dinnerware lecture series, generously supported by Illiana van Meeteren
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM Eastern time

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/mwNvSA40asU

This talk focuses on the history and variety of food and dining-related objects that emulate actual books, a sub-group of Mindell’s vast teaching collection of book-shaped objects. Though the history of book objects is an ancient one, those associated with comestibles and the culinary arts have been popular since the 16th century. Here, Mindell shares a diverse sampling from her collection, made during the 19th through 20th centuries, including both precious, rare and kitschy items such as tea and recipe boxes, ephemeral packaging, maple sugar and iced cream molds, lunch boxes, recipe boxes, napkin rings and more.

Mindell Dubansky is the supervising book conservator and preservation librarian at Thomas J. Watson Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dubansky’ s personal collection of blooks (things that look like books, but aren’t) and her groundbreaking research on the subject have been previously featured in exhibitions at the Grolier Club and Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Center for Book Arts, and in publications including The New York Times, and on television, on CBS' Sunday Morning.

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Email from The Dinnerware Museum Part of IMoDD's Unforgettable Dinnerware Zoom lecture series New IMoDD Video: Blooks: the Quirky World of Culinary Objects in Book Form From the collection of and pr

05/07/2026

We invite you to our upcoming virtual lecture, "Blooks: the Quirky World of Culinary Objects in Book Form," presented by Mindell Dubansky on May 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM ET. This session will delve into the rich history of culinary-themed book-shaped objects, highlighting unique pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. Learn how these fascinating artifacts connect food, literature, and design. Register for this free Zoom lecture at https://forms.gle/7fn5YaWm81Ky4fHo6 and we will send a link the day of the event! Image: Lunchbox in the form of a book, 19th century.

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Email from The Dinnerware Museum Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM Eastern time Blooks: the Quirky World of Culinary Objects in Book Form From the

05/03/2026

Call for Entries
"Chopsticks"
International Museum of Dinnerware Design’s Seventh National Biennial Juried Exhibition.

Exhibition dates: April 10 to July 11, 2027
Location: Kingston, New York
Entry Deadline: January 31, 2027

A person remembers special moments that may involve some new-learned physical skill. A person probably remembers when they first learned to ride a bike. They might remember when they learned to swim, or ice skate or fly a kite. They remember when they had the dexterity to tie their own shoes or tie their own necktie.

Dining memories work in the same way, sometimes they involve dexterity as well. A person may not remember when they first held a spoon and could feed themselves, but they will certainly remember when they learned to use chopsticks properly. Often the person was shown how to properly hold and manipulate chopsticks by a friend or family member. They also might have learned by looking at the instructional diagram on the disposable chopsticks wrapper itself.

The International Museum of Dinnerware Design's 7th National Biennial Invitational and Juried exhibition is "Chopsticks." It will highlight the best designs in functional, sculptural and 2D design celebrating this dining implement. Actual chopsticks may be one element in the finished work, but it is not required. The exhibition is about all aspects of the dining experience for the types of cuisine where chopsticks might be used.

For more information on how to enter, who the juror is, what prizes are offered and more, visit our website: https://dinnerwaremuseum.org/call-for-entries

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Email from The Dinnerware Museum Call for Entries International Museum of Dinnerware Design’s Seventh National Biennial Juried Exhibition Chopsticks A person remembers special moments that may involv

04/29/2026

Where else would the International Museum of Dinnerware Design visit in NYC?