Dick Gutman, DINERMAN: Exploring America's Diner History

Photo byHenry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Dick Gutman, DINERMAN, opens May 25 in the new Collections Gallery

The Henry Ford dives into the rich history of the American diner and its leading expert, Richard (Dick) Gutman, with its new exhibition, Dick Gutman, DINERMAN, opening May 25 in the new Collections Gallery located in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

Photo byPinterest

No one has been more immersed in the origins, designs, and operations of diners in America than Dick Gutman.

In 2019, Henry Ford acquired Gutman's collection of diner materials, the largest of its kind in the country. Portions of that collection— from the 1870s to the 1990s—will be displayed for the first time in DINERMAN, including memorabilia, scale models, and furniture.

The exhibit showcases the history of diner architecture and design in the United States. It honors the preservation that keeps diners relevant today.

Photo byPinterest

Gutman's fascination with these informal restaurants began while studying architecture at Cornell University in the late-1960s.

Gutman has contributed to virtually every published media piece on diners and was instrumental in the move and restoration of Henry Ford's own Lamy's Diner and the reconstruction of the Owl Night Lunch Wagon, the last surviving lunch wagon in existence, located in Greenfield Village.

The unique venues include:

• The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
• Greenfield Village
• Ford Rouge Factory Tour
• Benson Ford Research Center
• Giant Screen Experience
• Henry Ford Academy public charter high school

Dick Gutman, DINERMAN, is free for members and included with admission to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

About The Henry Ford

The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, is a globally recognized destination for learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts.

SOURCE The Henry Ford

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning Writer & Journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, and business.

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