WSU Creamery observation room (Ferdinand's)
Pullman, Whitman County, Washington. University creamery observation room.
Details
- Where
- 2035 NE Ferdinand's Lane, Pullman, WA 99164. Directions
- When
- best cheese production viewing Monday - Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Hours
- Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Access
- Days and times subject to change. Call ahead on the day you plan to visit.
- Walk-in or reserve
- walk-in to observation room; reservation required for groups of 12 or more.
- Phone
- 509-335-2141
- Website
- creamery.wsu.edu
- Managed by
- WSU Creamery, part of CAHNRS and the School of Food Science.
Washington State University's working dairy; visitors can watch cheesemakers in action making Cougar Cheese and Ferdinand's Ice Cream from the Marc P. Bates Observation Room, which is open to the public during posted weekday business hours.
Notable Events
- 1926Construction of Troy Hall was completed and it was occupied by the Dairy Department and the Milk House, a private dairy company leasing the space from the university. creamery.wsu.edu
- 1930sThe Creamery became interested in different ways to store cheese; cans seemed the best option because plastic was not yet invented and wax cracked. creamery.wsu.edu
- 1938The judging team sold ice cream sundaes to raise funds and named their sales booth Ferdinand's. creamery.wsu.edu
- 1948Ferdinand's Ice Cream Shoppe opened its doors in Troy Hall. creamery.wsu.edu
- 1970sWSU dining halls started buying fluid milk from a commercial dairy, and the Creamery began to produce cheese year round. creamery.wsu.edu
- 1975Full production of the cheese didn't really start until 1975, when word and popularity of Cougar Gold began to take off. news.cahnrs.wsu.edu
- 1992The Creamery moved from its old home in Troy Hall to a new location in the Food Quality Building. creamery.wsu.edu
People
- Norman Golding, Lead researcher for WSU's famous Cougar Gold Cheese (1934-1955).
- Rune Goranson, Student on the Dairy Products Judging Team whose middle name was Ferdinand.
- Jerry D. Clarke, Golding student who worked with the professor on the creation of Cougar Gold; 1942 graduate.
- Leonard Hale, Student and creamery operator (late 1940s and early '50s).
- Norman S. Golding, Dairy scientist; namesake and in many ways the father of Cougar Gold and its signature yellow can.
- Marc Bates, Creamery Manager; 1970 WSU graduate in dairy manufacturing (began working in the creamery as a student in 1967).