#60 • ORIGINAL BUTCHER BLOCK WORKTABLE FROM BLACKWOOD HALL, THE PERSONAL RESIDENCE OF COLONEL HARLAND SANDERS

Part of The Colonel Sanders Artifact Collection (live auction by The Menish Group Auction & Real Estate)

High bid $2,250.00

Status: Sold

Description Offered here is the original butcher block worktable from the kitchen of Blackwood Hall, the personal residence of Colonel Harland Sanders located on the Claudia Sanders Dinner House property. Constructed for heavy-duty kitchen use, the table served as a central workspace within the home and remains one of the most recognizable surviving artifacts from Sanders' private kitchen. Historic photographs published during Sanders' lifetime appear to show the worktable in place while he prepared food and demonstrated cooking techniques. Unlike decorative memorabilia or promotional items, this piece was an active part of the kitchen environment where Sanders cooked, entertained guests, and interacted with franchise operators who traveled to Kentucky to learn directly from him. The table survives as a tangible connection to the daily operations of Blackwood Hall and the period when Sanders remained personally involved in teaching the methods and standards that helped build Kentucky Fried Chicken into a global brand.   Historical Significance Few kitchen artifacts survive with such a direct connection to Colonel Sanders' personal residence. Located alongside the commercial stove and other original kitchen fixtures, the butcher block worktable formed part of the workspace where Sanders prepared food and shared knowledge with visitors to Blackwood Hall. Historic photographs documenting the kitchen provide valuable visual context and strengthen the table's connection to the property and its history. Today, the worktable stands as an important artifact of culinary history, hospitality history, and the early franchise era associated with Kentucky Fried Chicken.   Provenance Originally located within the kitchen of Blackwood Hall, the personal residence of Colonel Harland Sanders. The table remained with the property and was preserved by the Settle family following Sanders' ownership and occupancy of the home. Historic photographs appear to document the table within the kitchen during Sanders' lifetime.   Condition Displays expected age, wear, knife marks, surface use, and evidence of long-term service consistent with a historic kitchen worktable. Prospective bidders are encouraged to review all photographs and conduct their own inspection regarding condition, repairs, restoration, structural integrity, and overall preservation.