Am todd

A. M. Todd

One of the Museum’s treasures is the collection of Albert M. Todd. Todd made this donation with the understanding that the Kalamazoo School Board would acquire and open a public museum. In 1927, the former home of Horace B. Peck, located at the corner of Rose and South Streets, was purchased by the School Board and became the first official public museum in Kalamazoo.

Albert M. Todd (1850 – 1931), known as “The Peppermint King,” founded the A.M. Todd Company, a leading producer of mint oil. Todd and his brother Oliver went into the mint business on the family farm near Nottawa in Saint Joseph County. 

He used his fortune to collect art, antiquities, decorative objects, and books. Once or twice a year, he opened his offices at the company to allow the public to view his private collection. In his will, Todd left a legacy for educational institutions in Kalamazoo. The artifacts he donated to the Kalamazoo Museum (today the Kalamazoo Valley Museum) are the foundations of its collection. His generosity reflected a personal philosophy of service to the community.

To see some of Todd's collection, visit:

https://5024.sydneyplus.com/argus/final/Portal/1.aspx?lang=en-US

To read more, visit: 

https://kalamazoomuseum.org/images/museon/2004-Winter-MuseON.pdf

Kalamazoo Direct to You - Highlights
  1. Checker Cab
  2. Smelting Pot
  3. Gibson Guitars
  4. Homer Stryker and his Revolutionary Bed
  5. Upjohn's Pills
  6. A. M. Todd
  7. People of the Three Fires
  8. The General Store
  9. New Settlers to Kalamazoo: The Importance of the General Store
  10. Something for Everyone at the General Store
  11. The Finer Things in Life: Saving for the General Store
  12. Hub of Information: The General Store
  13. 1848 General Store Ledger
  14. Farm Life 1860-1940
  15. Entertainment 1860-1920
  16. "Wash Day"
  17. Food Preparation 1870-1930
  18. Squirrel Tailed Pumper
  19. The Kalamazoo Mall
  20. Victor Gruen: The Man with a Plan
  21. Dreams We Shared
  22. The 1980 Kalamazoo Tornado
  23. Lincoln's Speech
  24. Mystery of the Mummy