Sirio (Herman) Collection, 1912-1962

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Summary

Title:
Herman Sirio collection
Dates:
1912-1962
Abstract:
The Herman Sirio collection contains various items that were collected by Armando Luigi "Herman" Sirio, who worked as a chef on the Santa Fe railroad for many years, beginning in the early 1900s. The 3 folders of the collection contain a timetable, several photographs, and dining car menus spanning the years of 1912 to 1962 and most of which originate from the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad.
Extent:
0.333 Linear Feet (3 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Herman Sirio Collection, MS 24, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The 3 folders of this collection contain a timetable, several photographs, and dining car menus spanning the years of 1912 to 1962 most of which originate from the Atchinson, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad, and were collected by Herman Sirio. The timetable is dated for fall of 1962, and the photographs of the collection range from the years of 1949 to 1955. All of the photographs were taken by the Santa Fe Railroad and show Herman Sirio and other members of the dining car crew working or posing for a formal photograph. Of particular interest are the dining car menus as they are some of the oldest materials in the collection. The dining menu for the National Electric Light Association Special Train is dated from 1912, and there are also handwritten menus within the collection, which were an uncommon occurence on the railroad.

Biographical / historical:

Herman Sirio was born in Azeglio, Italy on August 26, 1885. The highest level of education he completed was the first year of high school. He married his wife Victoria at the age of 21. Together they immigrated to the United States in 1900 and lived in the South Side of Chicago. Shortly after immigrating to the United States he worked as a chef on the railroad, and for the majority of his career he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. He was recognized for his efforts in December of 1955, when he was part of the Santa Fe's "Crew of the Month" due to their excellent dining car service on the Santa Fe's "Super Chief" passenger train. Herman Sirio passed away on July 14, 1967 in Chicago and was survived by 6 children.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mary Madsen, 2023
Processing information:

The folders in this collection were organized by the type of material.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by type of material.

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collections Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives staff.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-05-05 21:50:31 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment

Terms of access:

Copyright has been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum, with the excpetion of photographs. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Herman Sirio Collection, MS 24, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
Website