Welch Grape Juice Company
Welch Grape Juice Company built its Southwest regional headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, in 1923.
In 1869 physician and dentist Thomas Bramwell Welch developed a process for making "unfermented sacramental wine" from Concord grapes. The process depends on knowledge of fermentation and Louis Pasteur's recent discovery of pasteurization. Welch serves this "grape juice" instead of wine as communion steward at his church in Vineland, New Jersey. Dr. Welch's grape juice becomes popular nationwide after it is served at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. The juice's visibility increased in 1913 when Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan serves the beverage at a diplomatic event, and the next year when the Navy substitutes Welch's grape juice after outlawing alcohol on its ships.
References
External links
- Shiloh Museum of Ozark History - Heavy on the Starch. Welch Grape Juice Co., Springdale, June 17, 1964.
- Grape harvester demonstration at Welch Co. Springdale, September 1970.
- New Suit. Roland Pense’s retirement party, Welch Grape Juice Co., Springdale, September 1972.
- Bingo. Welch Grape Juice Co. retiree picnic, Springdale, June 1976.
- Got Grapes? Weighing grapes at Welch Grape Juice Co., Springdale, August 1977.
