The 17th annual Fred Harvey History Weekend from November 6-8 celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Fred Harvey Company and the famous Harvey Girls, with lectures, tours, and a fundraising Fred Harvey Foodie Dinner at La Fonda Hotel to benefit the New Mexico History Museum.

Fred Harvey History Weekend Features a Foodie Dinner

Organizer Stephen Fried explains what makes this perennially sold out event so special. “The Fred Harvey Company was the great hospitality company of the American West. It introduced fine dining and also very casual Americana dining to most southwestern cities because it was the company that opened railroad restaurants along the routes. Harvey restaurants, including those in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and others got fresh food brought by the trains in refrigerated cars. The company also brought European-style cooking and more diverse menus, but also introduced southwestern dishes to other places,” he says.

This year also coincides with the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the opening of La Fonda Hotel as a Harvey Hotel. Fried says they are planning two days of talks at the New Mexico History Museum. They are also planning the annual foodie dinner, where local guest chefs prepare courses. Everyone who attends receives a commemorative piece of Mimbreno china. Originally designed by architect Mary Colter specifically for Harvey, the piece is replicated and donated by HF Coors. HF Coors has been the authorized manufacturer of the signature pattern for decades.

Story by Kelly Koepke

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