Digital Collections

Kingsford's Starch Crate

Object/Artifact

Kingsford's Silver Gloss Starch wooden crate. Features dovetailing and a color label. No lid.

2025.46.003

Founded in 1842 by English chemist Thomas Kingsford in New Jersey, Kingsford Starch revolutionized the industry by introducing a method to extract edible starch from maize. Seeking larger production, the company moved to Oswego, New York, in 1848, establishing the massive Oswego Starch Factory, which became the world’s largest, producing popular products like Silver Gloss starch for laundry and corn starch for food. Following Thomas's death, his son Thomson expanded the company, which later merged into the National Starch Company in 1902.

Genesee Country Village and Museum

Kingsford Starch Company

circa 1880

Oswego

New York

United States of America

North America

Manufacturer's Mark

Long sides

Kingsford's Silver Gloss Starch / 6 lbs. Net Weight / Manufactured by Corn Products Refining Co. / General Offices, New York, U.S.A.

English

Debossed

Label

One short side

Kingsford's Starch / Six Pounds Net Weight / Silver Gloss Starch Manufactured by Corn products Refining Co. / General Offices, New York, U.S.A. / Successor to T. Kingsford & Son / Reg. U.S. Pat. Off

English

Printed

6-7/8 in

6-3/4 in

11-3/8 in

T. Kingsford & Son

Kingsford Starch Company

Oswego

New York

United States of America

North America

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