About Us and Vegetarian America: A History

You have arrived at the Vegetarian Museum—a virtual museum, located only in cyberspace, and the only museum in the world, on or off the Internet, dedicated to vegetarianism.

The museum’s rooms will feature articles, letters, journal entries, book excerpts (full text coming soon!), illustrations, and photographs that reveal much of the story of vegetarianism in America from the 18th Century to today.

Through the Museum’s varied collection, the story of advocates of vegetarianism, and the movement they built, will be revealed.

For too long, the history of vegetarianism in the United States has been overlooked, and when not ignored, misinterpeted.

It is the intention of the founders of the Museum, who are vegetarians, to let the players in history speak for themselves through primary and secondary sources such as writings, ephemera, and artifacts.

Another intent of the Museum is to enable today’s writers on the subject of vegetarianism and related topics to present their work. Artists and musicians are likewise encouraged to share their creations.

A rich culture of vegetarianism existed during the earliest years of the movement, as it does today.

At this point, the Vegetarian Museum is entirely a labor of love from its founders Karen Iacobbo and Michael Iacobbo authors of Vegetarian America: A History (Praeger, 2004).

Since the mid-1980s, the Iacobbos have studied, written about, and lectured on vegetarianism, including its American history.

They welcome your ideas, contributions of articles and artwork, and your expertise; if you have vegetarian history materials—artifacts, ephemera, or books and magazines—that you would like to donate or exhibit here, please send an email or mail requesting information about contributing to or linking to the Museum.

Founders

KAREN IACOBBO is a journalist and researcher. She is also Adjunct Professor, Freshman Studies at Johnson and Wales University and Special Lecturer at Providence College.

MICHAEL IACOBBO is a journalist who has worked for the Associated Press, the Providence Phoenix, and other publications

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The first complete history of vegetarianism in the United States, this story reveals the people, the organizations, and the events from the late 1700s to the present. Despite generally held notions that today's vegetarianism sprang from 1960s counterculture and that prior to that its only advocates were fanatics and fringe groups, the authors explore strong movements in other historical eras, the proponents of which included esteemed physicians, socialites, and other notable members of the establishment. Advocates of vegetarianism have enriched the American way of life in areas such as general eating habits, preventative medicine, feminism, environmental awareness, and elsewhere.

From Johnny Appleseed and the Bible-Christians to John Harvey Kellogg and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the story features dedicated and colorful characters who persevered, undaunted by the many obstacles that they faced, to convince their fellow Americans of the benefits of vegetarianism. From a religious movement, to an ethical concern about the rights of animals, to many recent nutritional discoveries, vegetarianism is a movement that continues to evolve and grow.

Endorsements

Vegetarian America: A History (Praeger 2004)

“[A] compelling, readable account of an unfamiliar history.”
-Boston Herald

“[T]his extremely well researched book is a worthwhile purchase for both large public and academic libraries.”
-Library Journal

“What a wonderful book! And it’s scholarly.” Congratulations. And thanks so much for sending it to me. I hope it has a wonderful and long life!
-Jeffrey Masson, Ph.D.,
New York Times Best Selling Author
When Elephants Weep and The Emotional Live sof Animals

“The Vegetarian voice is almost absent from all human studies whether of history, science, ethics, or theology. That is why this book is so important. It is one of the few - perhaps even the first - history of vegetarianism written from the perspective of vegetarians. It provides what other accounts have not - a sensitive understanding of vegetarian ideals and an emphatic insight into the people who have adopted them”
-From the foreword by The Revd Professor Andrew Linzey, PhD, DD, a member of the Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford who holds the world’s first post in the ethics and theology of animal protection at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford.

“[A]n entertaining and informative read that puts into perspective the rich history of the U.S. vegetarian movement.”
-Suzanne Havala Hobbs, DrPH, RD
Author of Being Vegetarian for Dummies

"Karen and Michael Iacobbo have done a stellar job at digging down to the roots of our vegetarian heritage. Their new book is a bountiful harvest of fascinating information, and should be required reading for anyone walking the veg way."
-Jeff Nelson, President, VegSource.com

"Every once in a while someone comes along and sees the need for explaining, or defining, and clarifying a basic reality. The Iacobbos have certainly done this with their book. It is a major breakthrough, both journalistically and inspirationally.
-Colman McCarthy, Journalist and former columnist for the Washington post, co-founder Center for Teaching Peace

"Vegetarian America is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. It shows clearly where the path is leading and I hope enough of us get on it before it's too late for our children and grandchildren. "
-Howard F. Lyman LL.D., author of Mad Cowboy