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published an action plan for waiters and While communication methods may
other hotel management tips in Hotel have changed significantly over the years,
Keepers, Head Waiters, and Housekeepers’ other technology has come a long way
Guide. It has often been hailed as the first as well. Advances in refrigeration and
book of its kind published in the United plumbing also had a huge impact on how
States. Campbell was the eighth child of kitchens and pantries were utilized.
ten born to free black slaves, John Once indoor plumbing was standard,
Campbell, a blacksmith, and his wife. pantries often had a small prep sink for
After the Emancipation Proclamation convenience, but a butler’s pantry is not
took effect on January 1, 1863, then meant to be a space for cooking or dish-
51-year-old Campbell was commissioned washing. Their primary function was
by U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton storage. The most valuable wine and silver
to work in Port Royal, South Carolina to were often kept behind locked doors and
help resettle black refugees in the region the butler held the key. In some instances,
who had been displaced by Civil War he was even expected to sleep in the pantry
fighting. Soon after the U.S. Congress set to ensure items were safe. The pantry
up the Freedman’s Bureau in March 1865, sometimes contained a desk for the butler
Campbell was appointed to supervise land to complete logs or conduct meetings with
claims and resettlement of newly freed staff members.
people on five Georgia Sea Islands. The items stored in a butler’s pantry
Campbell was elected to the Georgia State will vary greatly depending on the country,
Senate, representing the area. Despite time period, style of the home, wealth and
bitter opposition from many conservative status of the family and their entertaining
legislators, Campbell introduced 15 bills style. However, it is safe to assume that
aimed at furthering the rights of blacks Pantry at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC there are some constants. Households a
before losing his seat in an 1872 election hundred years ago and today require
mired in fraud and voter intimidation. Tunis Campbell died in 1891. similar items to host and entertain guests. These items include linens,
Attire was an important element of proper butler service. In Emily serving trays, glassware, fine china, silverware, tea sets, and coffee urns.
Holt’s Book of Manners for Everyday Use, which was published in 1922, The pantries where these items were stored varied in size and layout
the author provides details on exactly what a butler should wear at depending on the home and the time period. In the grandest estates the
different times of day. butler’s pantry may have been the size of a full modern kitchen. Some
“In the morning, the butler wears white linen, dark gray or black even had multiple stories and elaborate catalogs were maintained to
trousers, a high-buttoned black waistcoat, and a black swallow-tail coat, keep track of the tremendous inventory.
or a black round-tailed coat shaped like a gentleman’s short dinner coat.
After luncheon or at three o’clock, he assumes his evening livery: black
trousers and swallow-tail coat, with a black waistcoat cut like that worn
by gentlemen in the evening. Immaculate white linen, with plain white
studs in the shirt front, a standing collar, white tie, cuffs fastened with
link buttons, and shoes of lustreless leather that emit no creaking
sounds, are the other items in his toilet.”
While white gloves have long been associated with butlers, they
were only expected to wear them when setting tables to avoid any
fingerprints on the silver and china.
There was a steep decline in demand for butlers worldwide after the
second World War, they still existed amongst the most
affluent households. And more recently, an increase in millionaires and
billionaires and continuing levels of wealth inequality are causing a
renewed demand for butlers in personal households and in hotels
worldwide. The International Institute of Modern Butlers offers
training and consulting “to bring about intelligently executed,
anticipatory, and invisible service in the style of the traditional British
Butler adapted to modern needs and markets around the world.”
Pantry of Rough Port Mansion in Newport, RI
At the Family’s Beck and Call
Simpler homes may have a butler’s pantry that is a small hallway or
Over time, the contents corridor to connect the kitchen to the dining room where food could
of a butler’s pantry and be plated before being brought out to guests.
the tools he used to carry In the 1800s and early 1900s butler’s pantries could be found in
out his jobs would change most large estate homes. By 1850 they were starting to be found in
as innovations arose. For middle and upper middle-class homes as well. Then, as kitchens
centuries, sprung bells became more robust and indoor refrigeration was the norm, these types
were used to communicate of pantries started to be less common. Hoosier cabinets were marketed
needs of the household. as a way to save steps and make the kitchen itself fully functional.
Intricate boards with bells
assigned to rooms would Section of a historic communication A Timeless Trend
system at Speke Hall in Liverpool
alert the staff where they that was comprised of 21 brass service bells
were needed. In the Butler’s pantries are now becoming popular once again. In the 21st
1860s, electric bells were introduced but they still only allowed one way century, newly built homes have prioritized open floor plans that
communication. combined the kitchen and living areas. Homeowners have now started
Eventually, speaking tubes or early telecom systems began to allow to value the additional storage and concealed food preparation space.
two-way communication which improved efficiency. Eventually Today, as in the past, these spaces add functionality to a home and
telephones became the standard. Some large estates had their own butler’s pantries are one of the most requested features in newly
switchboards for internal and external communication. built homes.
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