Richard J. S. Gutman
Curator, Author and Expert on All Things Diner

Diner Restoration

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