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My sexy ’60s saucepans pots are now in a museum!

pam kueber - Updated: August 25, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

fed ex-1-2griswold-symbol-lidI am pretty darned excited. Yes, The Carnegie Museum of Art — which is mounting an exhibit on the work of industrial designer Peter Muller-Munk — accepted my offer to donate my New Old Stock Griswold Symbol pots, brochure and packaging to their collection. Mark your calendars: The exhibit opens in late November this year. For sure, I plan on jetting to Pittsburgh for opening day activities to bask in the glory of my name on a museum wall cover the story. Of course, it was boo to the hoo to say goodbye at FedEx — so before I sent my sexy sixties dutch oven and sauce pan on their way, one final photo shoot.

Farewell, my Griswold Symbol Pots by designed Peter Muller-Munk c. 1964:

peter muller munk-2I was really happy to make the donation…

peter muller munk-6Once I understood the history of these pots… and because they were New Old Stock…. I couldn’t imagine ever actually using them. Way better that lots of people get a chance to see them, than to have them malingering around my house.

peter muller munk-5Seriously, I get to have my name as donor on one of the those informative museum placards perched next to the item on display! How cool is that! Probably one of the top-ten coolest things to ever happen to me! I will be many years gone, resting under a granite (argh!) headstone that recalls, “She saved some pink bathrooms,” but for eons everlasting my name will live on in the art world beyond, adorning an informative museum placard next to two kitchen pots. Immortality — and its color is orange!

peter muller munk-7And ya know what else: Something left the house. I have too much stuff. Just too much. Yay! Something left the house!

peter muller munk-8See you, my lovelies, in November!

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48 comments

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  1. Roundhouse Sarah says

    Well maybe your granite headstone could at least be boomerang shaped with starbursts details engraved! ; )

    • Rick S says

      Pam,
      Instead of granite I thought you could set aside some of your “World of Tile” stash to make a mortor set mosaic marker. The last place you would think of seeing pink ceramic tile.
      rick

      • pam kueber says

        Seriously. I did think about it. I told my husband, if I blow out my tires with all the weight of the tile and roll over on the way home from World of Tile, use it to make me a mausoleum!

        Now you have me thinking, I really ought to plan something. I *need* a project for my WOT hoard!

  2. tammyCA says

    Nifty! Those are really cool pans. Now a lot more people can see and appreciate the designs from you and all the donors. Sounds like another Tiki party is brewing. 🙂

  5. Mary Elizabeth says

    Pam, this is wonderful news. When I saw your article on the pots, I said to myself, I wish they’d had more kitchen wares in the midcentury modern exhibit at the Peabody Museum in Massachusetts last year. I went on line to see who was selling them and for how much, but I really wanted to see them in person.

    Keep us posted on the timing of the opening and how long the exhibit runs. This is the kind of thing we can drag husbands to.

    P.S. Now I know you are not a true hoarder, since you occasionally give something away. 🙂

    • pam kueber says

      Yes, I am not a true hoarder — I am pretty happy to get rid of stuff. It’s just… more easy and fun to acquire… than to get rid of… In fact, I am planning a long, leisurely search-every-nook-and-cranny to two thrift shops today! Wish me luck!

  6. Pia Colucci says

    That is fabulous! When you come to Pittsburgh, you are more than welcome to stay with me! I live within a 10 minute walk to the Museum. In a renovated former frat house. You could have the third floor to yourself, bring an entourage…I would love to host you Pam! I am serious. Message me and I will give you my address so you can google the house and location vis a vi the Museum.

    • pam kueber says

      I just might!

      I am also thinking about an RR get-together somewhere. Where??? Any tiki bars in Pittsburgh? Any very cool retro bar?

      • Pia Colucci says

        We have a fabulous Tiki bar and tiki group in Pittsburgh, for sure! I have converted my living room into a full fledged tiki bar. I am the one that has the Three Mile Island lamp I submitted to you and you liked it. So, there are 6 bedrooms up on third floor with a bath and kitchen…at your disposal Reno Maven!!

      • Pia Colucci says

        Pam we have a very authentic Tiki BAR in Pittsburgh, with a high Tipsy Factor (from the book of tiki bars across America.) But it doesn’t have the greatest drinks. We have a wonderful lively tiki group with a masterful tropical cocktail mixologist, Lucky among us. I love tiki so much I converted my living room into the Lei Over Lounge, full blown tiki bar with reference to my glory years as a Pan Am stewardess, hence, the play on the name. Third floor of my house has 6 bedrooms, kitchen and bath. So, you can indeed bring your entourage.

        • Laurel says

          I’m in Pittsburgh and I would LOVE to join you ladies for a tiki cocktail hour-get together if/when you make it to the museum show in November! Any way to keep me posted?

          • Kate says

            Hi Laurel,

            We would likely announce any Pittsburgh plans both here on the blog and in our twice weekly newsletter.

  7. Jenny A. says

    That is exciting! My husband did something similar with a bottle of prototype whiskey. He donated it to the whiskey museum in Bardstown KY and there is a little plaque with his name on it. He said the same thing – the whiskey will outlive him 😉

  8. Steve H says

    That was a really nice thing to do, Pam. I’m sure they’re the only never-used pots of their kind in existence. I really do appreciate how they are designed so when you lift the lid the water drains into the pot instead of dripping all over the stove top. That was a funny comment about something finally leaving your house. I always feel like there’s always so much more stuff going into my house than out. Sometimes I wonder how much more it can absorb.

  9. jay says

    Way to Go Pam! Congrats! My sentiments exactly – setting your pots free to let everyone share the mid-century 60s mod design in all its orange glory.