From Ancient Cures to Medieval Ales: The History of the Copper Urn

The Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum, located at The Culinary Institute of America at Copia, in Napa, CA, houses more than 4,000 culinary artifacts from the Williams Sonoma founder’s personal collection. The exhibit includes a collection of copper water urns.

By the end of the 18th century, in the homes of the upper and the middle classes of England, no dining room was complete without a silver or copper urn. They were used to hold clean water for drinking, or to hold ice or ice water for chilling foods, which were to be served cold during a meal. Copper urns ranged in style, from purely functional to imposing and decorative Neoclassical designs.

Learn more about the museum and visiting hours: https://www.ciaatcopia.com/chuck-williams-culinary-arts-museum/

Watch videos about a selection of museum artifacts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVtTKvDDq_huEOZFb2GNC3ybFk_WnGFyX

Special thanks to Williams Sonoma Inc. Corporate Archives for sharing photography for use in this video series.