ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) announced today that it plans to donate its corporate collection of nearly 600 original Currier & Ives prints to the Joslyn Art Museum, in Omaha, Nebraska. The prints represent a remarkably expansive pictorial documentation of the post-Civil War republic before the widespread use of photography.

“We’re excited to present ConAgra’s rare Currier & Ives collection to Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum so that the entire community and visitors from all over the world can enjoy these historic works,” said Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer, ConAgra Foods. “There is no better home for this artwork where it will be properly cared for and maintained in a professional, sustainable manner.”

Connolly added, “This donation is just one of the ways that we will continue to support the Omaha community, home to more than 2,100 of our valued employees.”

ConAgra obtained the Currier & Ives works in the late 1980’s when the company acquired Beatrice Foods, the collection’s former owner. Although portions of the collection were on display over the years at ConAgra’s Omaha campus, viewing opportunities for the public were limited, and the
majority of the works remained in storage. ConAgra’s gift to the Joslyn Art Museum ensures that the collection will be permanently available to share with the Omaha community and beyond.

“We are grateful to ConAgra for this extraordinary gift,” said Jack Becker, Joslyn Art Museum executive director & CEO. “These works will complement Joslyn’s overall collection, enhance our growing works on paper collection, and serve as an important cornerstone of our American art collection. Currier and Ives made their work available to as many people as possible, and that spirit is paralleled by ConAgra’s decision to gift this collection and ensure that countless visitors will enjoy it in the years to come.”