I'm frankly puzzled by the apparent assumption that the "box lunch" is a thing of the past. Although I confess that I've never really thought about the history of the box lunch, when it originated, or what forms and materials the boxes might have taken over the centuries, nor was I sure what the original requester had in mind with the term "old-fashioned" box lunch, I was unaware that the box lunch was obsolete or that anyone thought it was. Half of the professional conferences I've attended in the last ten years have supplied box lunches to participants at some point,.as an incentive to eat informally outdoors while exploring the institution's grounds. When I organized a meeting for over 100 people last year and had to solve a timing problem so that people could eat and still get to an out-of-town program on time, the hotel conference manager immediately suggested preparing box lunches (for a dollar or two extra per person) to be consumed on the buses en route--and found that box lunches indeed were listed on their service schedule. The boxes, of course, were cardboard. I have the impression that most hotels and caterers routinely provide box lunch service--and certainly some fast-food restaurants put lunches (especially chicken, plus side orders) in special boxes emblazoned with their logos and designs. Ever hear of "Happy Meals"? I shouldn't think it would be hard to find upscale caterers who offer box lunches in more elegant containers (at more elegant prices). Although the history of the box lunch is one thing, and it might be interesting to try to replicate, say, a typical Victorian box lunch--if there was such a thing--with a period menu and period containers--assumptions about the demise of the box lunch are greatly exaggerated. It sounds like some people on this list don't get out very much. David Haberstich ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).