Salute to St. Charles- Pickle people salute to St. Charles “Pickle Capital of the World.”
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
What's a summer picnic without pickles?
This week's #TBT Gallery focuses on pickles.
Although no pickles were picked or packed in St. Charles, from the early 1960s through 2004, a nonprofit organization called Pickle Packers International (PPI) in the Fox Valley town promoted the green gherkin to cultivate the nation's love of the vegetable.
Currently, the St. Charles History Museum is running a temporary exhibit called, “It's a Big Dill!” through Aug. 6, which covers some of the history — and lots of local promotional memorabilia — of the crunchy vegetable over the past 4,000 years, including its link to St. Charles.
For more information, visit the museum's website at stcmuseum.org/projects/. For more information on Pickle Packers International, visit ilovepickles.org.
Photos for this photo gallery were provided by the St. Charles History Museum.
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Army Division "Pickle Battalion". The division got the nickname because the tanks they used looked like pickles, circa 1966.
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
Miss Pickle poses in front of the Biggest Pickle Award at One Pickle and Pepper Plaza in St. Charles, IL., home of Pickle Packers International, circa 1968. In 2004, the organization moved to Washington, D.C.
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
Flight attendant Marilyn Pickle was awarded a carry on pickle from PPI and named 1958 Pickle Women of the Year.
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
The Chicago Pickle Fair.
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
Welcoming sign noting St. Charles as the Pickle Capital of the World.
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
To promote pickles as a low calorie, no fat snack (PPI) developed "Shape up with Pickles".
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
National Pickle Packers Association Awards, circa 1963.
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
Pickle purveyor has sworn "To Tell the Truth".
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
At the end of World War II, Pickle Packer International (PPI) held a contest for consumers to fire "pickle bombs" off a skyscraper building and into a pickle barrel. Contestants with perfect aim were awarded a year's supply of pickles.
Courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
PPI encouraged people to eat pickles with fish via its "Lenten Flavor Pals" promotion.
courtesy of St. Charles History Museum
In the spirit of Sputnik, PPI launched the "Pik-L-Nik L" Space Satellite in 1957 and put the first sweet gherkin on outer space.
courtesy of St. Charles History Museum