Since 1979, Richard Gutman has worked with museums, historic preservation groups and entrepreneurs on diner restoration projects. He has also been a consultant for many successful nominations of diners to the National Register of Historic Places.
Owl Night Lunch Wagon
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
Dearborn, MI
Built 1901; Postcard view
Owl Night Lunch Wagon
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
Dearborn, MI
Original drawing of facade elevation, 1983
Owl Night Lunch Wagon
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
Dearborn, MI
Restoration carpentry by Dan Randazzo
Completed and open for business June, 1985
Blue Moon Diner
Gardner, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#815, 1949
Before renovation
Blue Moon Diner
Gardner, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#815, 1949
Rendering of new panels, 1988
Blue Moon Diner
Gardner, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#815, 1949
New panels installed, 1988
Hudson Diner
Hudson, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#789, 1946
Being moved by O. B. Hill Trucking out to Henry Ford Museum, March, 1984
Lamy's Diner
Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn, MI
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#789, 1946
Restoration carpenter Dan Randazzo, 1987
Lamy's Diner
Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn, MI
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#789, 1946
Key element in "The Automobile in American Life" Nov. 1987
Hudson Diner
Hudson, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#789, 1946
Condition when purchased, 1984
Lamy's Diner
Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn, MI
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#789, 1946
Under restoration, 1986
Lamy's Diner
Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn, MI
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#789, 1946
Fully restored, 1987
Whit's Diner
Ashland, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#783, 1942
Stripped of its facade
Lloyd's Diner
Ashland, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#783, 1942
Installing new panels, 1990
Lloyd's Diner
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#783, 1942
On its way to its new location in Framingham, MA, Dec. 1990
Jigger's Diner
East Greenwich, RI
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#826, 1950
Installing fixtures and furnishings
Jigger's Diner
East Greenwich, RI
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#826, 1950
Exterior intact but interior gutted in 1983
Jigger's Diner
East Greenwich, RI
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#826, 1950
Restored interior, 1992
Grecian Diner
New Castle, DE
Jerry O'Mahony, Inc
1947
On site before move to MA
Kelly's Diner
Somerville, MA
Jerry O'Mahony, Inc
1947
Being placed on foundation in Ball Square, Dec. 1995
Kelly's Diner
Somerville, MA
Jerry O'Mahony, Inc
1947
Open for business, Jan. 1996
Bob's Hot Dogs
Waldoboro, ME
1885 milk wagon
Wagon's condition after 80 years operation selling hot dogs, 2006
Fried Hot Frankfurts
Waldoboro and Rockland, ME
1885 milk wagon
1975 photo
Fried Hot Frankfurts
Culinary Arts Museum
Providence, RI
1885 milk wagon
Restoration carpentry by Stephen Spencer, 2007
Mt. Top Diner
Mountain Top, PA
Fodero Dining Car Co.
1956
Original postcard
Skyliner Diner
Strong Museum
Rochester, NY
Fodero Dining Car Co.
1956
During restoration, 1996
Skyliner Diner
Strong Museum
Rochester, NY
Fodero Dining Car Co.
1956
In the museum, Nov. 1997. Postcard image from The Strong
Four Sisters Owl Diner
Lowell, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#759, 1940
Before new vestibule, 2009
Four Sisters Owl Diner
Lowell, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#759, 1940
Under construction, 2009
Four Sisters Owl Diner
Lowell, MA
Worcester Lunch Car Co.
#759, 1940
New vestibule and exterior panels, 2009