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Nature's Table Collection, 1979-1999

By Elizabeth Hartman, Thornton Miller, and Somer Pelczar

Collection Overview

Title: Nature's Table Collection, 1979-1999

Predominant Dates:1979-1989

ID: 12/9/144

Creator: Nature's Table (1971-1979)

Extent: 4.25 cubic feet

Arrangement:

Textiles are arranged by date, with undated items following.

Paper and photographic records are arranged according to the original order of the materials.

Date Acquired: 08/17/2015

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Series 1 consists of t-shirts and sweatshirts highlighting Jazz and Rock performances that took place at the Nature's Table Restaurant in Urbana, Illinois. The t-shirts also highlight specific musical acts that performed at the restaurant including the Catfish and Carter Band and the Sorgum Quartet. In addition many of the t-shirts contain images of healthy foods and vegetables highlighting the restaurant's mission to serve natural and healthy foods. The textiles were collected by Jeff Machota.

Series 2 consists of records pertaining to Nature's Table as a restaurant (cookbooks, recipes, business records, health evaluations, and food supplies) and as a music performance venue. The latter category includes concert schedules, flyers, performer and band photographs, appointment books, set lists, and the promotional material and biographies of many artists including Tony Brown, Herb Ellis, Kristin Lems, Peter "Madcat" Ruth, and Guido Sinclair. This series also includes digital audio recordings and images. These materials were donated by Jeff Machota and Sean Kutzko.

Biographical Note

Nature's Table was a small health food restaurant and jazz club in Urbana, Illinois, that was operated by Terry Masar from 1979 to 1991. It was located on Goodwin Street across from the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to providing customers in the local and campus communities with reasonably priced meals, inside the restaurant patrons could attend live shows and also view and purchase art produced by local artists.  Featuring live performances by many local and regional bands, the restaurant created a lively environment for budding new musicians and artists.  Nature's Table was known for attracting nationally recognized jazz artists, such as Von Freeman, Herb Ellis, Richard 'Groove' Holmes, Peter 'Madcat" Ruth, and Jon McNeil, who frequently performed there. It was also considered a home for many local jazz, blues, alternative rock, and bluegrass ensembles, including a young Alison Krauss. Nature's Table was built on campus property, and in 1991 the university forced the closure of the restaurant and venue to make way for a new Chemical and Life Science Lab building.  Numerous reunions of the Nature's Table staff and the artists who frequently played there took place after its closing until Terry Masar passed away on October 23, 2011.

Administrative Information

Accruals: Reel to reel recordings were donated to the Center by Paul Mueth February 27, 2019.

Acquisition Source: Donated by Jeff Machota and Sean Kutzko

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Box and Folder Listing