08/24/2026
Ready for a "spoonful" of history?
This month, we're taking a closer look at a Victorian-era rotating, triple silver-plated spoon holder made by the Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Company in Aurora, Illinois.
The company operated from the late 1860s into the early 1900s, producing affordable tableware for everyday use.
So, what does โtriple plateโ mean? It doesn't mean three spoons' worth of silver! It means the base metal was coated with three layers of silver, creating a durable and affordable alternative to solid silver.
Silver-plated tableware became popular in Victorian homes, giving families a little extra elegance at the dinner table without the hefty price tag.
As we continue to celebrate America 250, we're exploring the everyday objects in our collection, industries, and traditions that help tell the bigger American story.