The Kentucky Fried Chicken Museum (aka Sander's Cafe) in Corbin, KY!
On the way back home from the Berea, KY cabin we made plans to check out the birthplace of finger lickin good chicken which happens to be an operational KFC restaurant but also a museum!
In 1940, Harland Sanders ran a gas station at this site and then expanded to include a motel and restaurant. It was here that he developed his 11 secret herbs and spices that are still used to this day. Word quickly spread about his great chicken and in 1956 he sold the location and ventured into selling KFC franchises. This location was sold as a franchise to a family in 1973 that preserved and renovated it into a museum. It's a very fun place. On the left is the modern area to order your meal, then on the right interwoven with the dining areas are more museum displays.
In the front entrance are showcases of early memorabilia, an original suit, a life sized Harland sitting on a bench, and a bronze bust sculpted by Sander's daughter in 1954.
A "Barrel-O-Chicken"!
I really love the 'gift from your friend...Colonel Sanders' disguise kit!
Both of these sets of dishes were originally used in the early days of the restaurant at the Corbin location.
An example of what the dining area looked like in the original restaurant.
The furniture, hutch, dishes, silverware, and napkins are all from the original restaurant circa 1940.
Also inside the dining area is a reproduction motel room. Most of the features are originals from the motel: shutters, door, shingles, block walls, interior walls, window, and bedroom set.
Apparently in the original cafe there was a similar model of the motel room for the lady of the house to inspect before deciding if her family would be staying there. It was strategically placed on the way to the pay phone and lady's restroom. Also within the museum is a reproduction of Harland's office and kitchen.
In the ordering area of the restaurant and museum is a model of the original layout of the cafe, court, and a few surrounding land marks representing from 1940.
We got there at lunch time on the Friday after Thanksgiving and it was one hopping place. It was obvious that everyone there had come to experience the museum and deep fried goodness, not just locals picking up some grub. At the time we went, the location was in the early throes of a major renovation. There were workers putting on a new blue shingled roof to work more with the original look of Sander's cafe (see top postcard). I read an online article reporting that the museum is expanding by 3,000 feet and seating for 132 guests ( see here for digital renderings) and should be completed by August. I don't know what it means, but it's rumored there is going to be an 11 secret herbs and spices room. They can't be letting the secret out though! Maybe you have to join a secret KFC society to enter and if you reveal their secrets they cut out your tongue, rendering you never able to enjoy fried chicken ever again!
The Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum is on the National Register of Historic places also!
Grab your spork and go!
688 US HWY 25 W
Corbin, KY 40701
606-528-2163
Munch on these leftover chicken bones of past KFC posts:
Christmas with the Colonel 2019
2 comments:
We would stop there if we ever went through Kentucky. Not sure when that would happen! I have a weakness for the Colonel! Looks like a fun time!
It's worth the trip! We drove from Florida to go!
~mary~
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