Mary's Meadow Gold

 

Meadow Gold Dairy recently announced the closing of their 101-year-old plant located just two blocks from where I am sitting right now. It's a sad end to a local success story. The dairy operation that would eventually become Meadow Gold got its start a few miles south of here, in Beatrice, Nebraska, in 1894. While still known as Beatrice Foods, the company forged a unique partnership with a freelance artist fresh out of the Disney studios.
    Mary Blair had worked as an artist on Disney masterpieces such as Song of the South, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. In 1953, she left to pursue a career as a freelance illustrator and graphic artist. The artwork above, for calendars and packaging, was created in the mid 1950s. I remember the character being used into the 1980s.
    Mary would go back and work with Walt Disney, most notably bringing her unique style to the It's a Small World attraction for the 1964 World's Fair (later moved to Disneyland and replicated in other parks). You can also see her work in many Golden Books, still in print today.

Images via grickily.

Comments

[Mike Wagner]

thanks for the sad update on Meadow Gold Dairy and background on Mary Blair.

i had not thought of Meadow Gold for years though i remember vividly the Meadow Gold milk box on our back porch growing up in Columbus, Nebraska.

i also remember the Small World attraction and a melody i couldn't get out of my head.

keep creating...it freaks people out,
Mike

[JudyU]

Nice blast from the past. We lived in Omaha for a few years in when dad was in Air Force. Am sending this to him to see if it sparks any memories. Thanks.

[LetterB]

I Can Fly illustrated by Mary Blair was my favorite book as a kid. I loved it beyond reason and was so happy when I came across it a couple years ago. Now I get to read it to my own kids. These illustrations are very similar to the girl in the story and suddenly I have the urge to come to Nebraska to scour flea markets for old signs. What's 1500 miles? Pfft.

[Alberta Rencontres]

I am sure that so many people love this book, I forget about it but my favorite thing when I was a kid was my mother's reading before sleep, it was so interesting so I didn't want to sleep and my mom red the hole book.