Haussner's Restaurant
Encyclopedia
Haussner's Restaurant was opened by William Henry Haussner in 1926 and became one of Baltimore
's most famous landmarks over the next 73 years. In addition to 'old-world' style food, including Baltimore's finest crab cakes, the restaurant housed a large collection of fine art, which decorated the walls and delighted customers.
The art had been acquired over the years by William Henry Haussner's wife, Frances Wilke Haussner, who bought their first painting in 1939, "Venetian Flower Vendor," by Eugene de Blaas
(1843-1932). Over the next 73 years, the Haussners acquired over 100 pieces, including highly important works by 19th century European and American masters.
The restaurant was closed in 1999, and the collection, which included pieces from the estates of J.P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt
and Henry Walters
, was auctioned by Sotheby's
in New York City for $10 million.
The site of the restaurant was taken over by Baltimore International College
, converted to a culinary school. One of the most famous artifacts from the collection, an enormous ball of string left over from napkin edges, moved to the American Dime Museum
.
Haussner's Restaurant was located at 3244 Eastern Ave Baltimore, MD 21224-4012 (originally, 3313 Eastern Ave). The restaurant officially served its last meal on Wednesday, October 6, 1999.
More recently, a reproduction of Haussner's served as the setting in the television show, Mad Men
(Series 3, Episode 27).
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
's most famous landmarks over the next 73 years. In addition to 'old-world' style food, including Baltimore's finest crab cakes, the restaurant housed a large collection of fine art, which decorated the walls and delighted customers.
The art had been acquired over the years by William Henry Haussner's wife, Frances Wilke Haussner, who bought their first painting in 1939, "Venetian Flower Vendor," by Eugene de Blaas
Eugene de Blaas
Eugene de Blaas, also known as Eugene von Blaas or Eugenio de Blaas was an Italian painter in the school known as Academic Classicism. He was born at Albano, near Rome, to Austrian parents. His father Karl, a Jew and also a painter, was his teacher. The family moved to Venice when Karl became...
(1843-1932). Over the next 73 years, the Haussners acquired over 100 pieces, including highly important works by 19th century European and American masters.
The restaurant was closed in 1999, and the collection, which included pieces from the estates of J.P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt , also known by the sobriquet Commodore, was an American entrepreneur who built his wealth in shipping and railroads. He was also the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family and one of the richest Americans in history...
and Henry Walters
Henry Walters
Henry Walters was president of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad until he retired in 1902. He was founder of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.-Biography:...
, was auctioned by Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
in New York City for $10 million.
The site of the restaurant was taken over by Baltimore International College
Baltimore International College
The Baltimore International College , founded in 1972, is a private, non-profit college located in Baltimore, Maryland, that grants specialized degree programs in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management...
, converted to a culinary school. One of the most famous artifacts from the collection, an enormous ball of string left over from napkin edges, moved to the American Dime Museum
American Dime Museum
The American Dime Museum was co-founded in Baltimore, Maryland, by artist and antique dealer Richard Horne and James Taylor , writer and publisher of sideshow journal Shocked and Amazed! Opening Nov. 1, 1999, the museum recreated, in spirit, the dime museums which saw their heyday in the 19th and...
.
Haussner's Restaurant was located at 3244 Eastern Ave Baltimore, MD 21224-4012 (originally, 3313 Eastern Ave). The restaurant officially served its last meal on Wednesday, October 6, 1999.
More recently, a reproduction of Haussner's served as the setting in the television show, Mad Men
Mad Men
Mad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each...
(Series 3, Episode 27).