Max M. Lyon Turkey Farm Collection, 1939 - 1958

Collection

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains primarily black-and-white photographs depicting turkeys, eggs, their living conditions on farms, and the processes of commercial turkey farming, including photographs with members of the Lyon family. It approximately spans the 1940s-1950s. It further contains one file of materials related to Lyon and farming practices such as an article written for Turkey World in 1943 on turkey breeding, and a list of awards from the Memet Utility Turkey Show in 1939.

Dates

1939 - 1958

Creator

Max M. Lyon Turkey Farm (Organization)

Language of Materials

Collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open with no restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

Max M. Lyons (1886-1958) began working as a turkey farmer in 1912, with his father, and became best known for developing the 100% Brown Breasted Bronze. Lyons continued on to develop artificial insemination techniques for turkeys as piloted by the USDA in 1934 and became the leading producer of turkeys in the 1940s-1950s. He won awards at numerous fairs and congresses and went on to pen a piece, titled "Turkey World," (1943) related to breeding techniques.