At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth century, mass produced plates, bowls, cups, and saucers began to appear in Europe. An English potter, Josiah Wedgewood was the first to begin producing popular earthenware. Mass produced dinnerware came to be used on the tables of royalty and nobility, as well as on the tables of common people.
As a historic note: Josiah Wedgewod was the grandfather of Charles Darwin.
Shown below is some of the dinnerware displayed at various museums.
Fort Vancouver, Vancouver, Washington
Fort Dalles Museum, The Dalles, Oregon
Presby House Museum, Goldendale, Washington
Oregon Historical Society, Portland, Oregon
Renton History Museum, Renton, Washington
Wenatchee Valley Museum, Wenatchee, Washington
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, Tillamook, Oregon
San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum, San Bernardino, California
Displayed in this museum are examples of railroad dining car dinnerware. Even on the trains, dining was done on fine china, often created especially for the train. The china included special plates for each course.
Museum of Yellowstone, West Yellowstone, Montana
The Museum of Yellowstone has a series of displays telling the story of the Union Pacific Railroad and Yellowstone National Park.
World Museum of Mining, Butte, Montana
More museum exhibits
Museums 201: Wood-fired kitchen ranges (photo diary)
Museums 201: Ancient Beds (photo diary)
Museums 201: Model railroad dioramas (photo diary)
Museums 201: Antique farming equipment (photo diary)
Museums 201: Mining Displays (photo diary)
Museums 201: Quilts (photo diary)
Museums 201: Shoes (photo diary)
Museums 201: Kitchens (photo diary)