Two men reading

The belly of the bank

Front of menu for the Bank of Montreal 2nd Annual Snow Shoe Tramp, 1904. Beside a small stain on the top right corner is a note (“likely a beer stain”), possibly written by the menu’s original owner.

The Corporate Archives houses a collection of twentieth century menus from various events held by the bank. A favourite among the archivists is the menu from the Bank of Montreal Second Annual Snow Shoe Tramp. The menu details the meal that would have been served to bank staff at the conclusion of their snowshoeing journey (or, “tramp”).

Records of similar staff activities prior to the advent of the Staff Magazine in 1929 are sparse. It is for this reason that this menu, dated 1904, is such a treat. From the fillet of beef with mushrooms and roast turkey with cranberry sauce to the “deep” apple pie, the menu can certainly be described as hearty. What better way to restore strength (and warmth!) after a long day out in the snow?

Back of menu for the Bank of Montreal 2nd Annual Snow Shoe Tramp, 1904. The menu is inexplicably printed on a memo card.

Menu

Olives/Celery

SOUP

Royal Consomme

FISH

Boiled Gaspe Salmon, Parsley Sauce

Parisienne Potatoes

ENTREE

Fillet of Beef/Mushrooms

ROMAN PUNCH

JOINT

Roast Turkey, Cranberry Sauce / Prime Ribs of Beef, Horseradishes

Potatoes/Scalloped Tomatoes/Green Peas

CHICKEN SALAD

DESSERT

Deep Apple Pie/Cream

Cheese/Jellies/Ice Cream

CHAMPAGNE

Fruit/Tea/Coffee