Guests that visit the Hormel Historic Home have questions about the home’s architecture.

They ask about the Hormel family and how to pronounce the last name properly.  And, they ask about Spam. Many have a story or two to share about their exposure and familiarity with the beloved meat in a can.

Because people are curious about the Spam brand the Hormel Historic Home History for Half Pints committee has put together a family friendly event focused on celebrating Austin’s famous food product. With the support of the Hormel Foods Company, the SPAMKids Fest will celebrate the local love of the Spam brand through science, history, and arts. The event is geared for families with kids ages 2-12 and is free to the community on Saturday, March 12.

The following is a recounting of how Spam was named as reported in the Aug. 13, 1957, Austin Daily Herald.

“Seeking a name for the new product [in 1937] Jay C. Hormel, before leaving on a trip, called several of the staff together, and gave them three suggestions-‘Baby Grand,’ ‘Pantry Pal’ and ‘Del-i-catise.’

‘Either use one of these or get a better one’, he told them.

They didn’t like any of the names, and an effort was made to divert Hormel from them by suggesting a contest be conducted. When he left on his trip, the staff got busy trying to find another name to replace the three proposed. The late Kenneth Daigneau, actor, had come from New York to visit his hometown. At a party he and other were asked whether they had any suggestions.

Daigneau said he had had a good name for many years — ‘Spam.’ The name clicked and the company’s advertising agency was instructed to prepare a label. Four cans, each with the label ‘Baby Grand,’ ‘Pantry Pal,’ ‘Del-i-catise’ and ‘Spam’ were placed on Hormel’s desk.

When Hormel returned, he quickly swept into the waste basket his three suggested labels and with a twinkle in his eye told them, ‘it beat all the lengths I had to go to get you fellows to think.’ He had offered the three names only to needle them into finding something better.”

The Spam brand has a way of bringing fun to food and stirring up memories. If you are interested in hearing more stories about its creation, the science behind it, and its role in World War II please join us for the fest on March 12.

 Hearth & Home Series

10 a.m., Monday, free

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