SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On May 23, the line outside the Sacramento History Museum appeared more like a family reunion than a grand opening. The Campbell’s Soup Sacramento exhibit, which spans its full history from 1947 to 2013, will be on display through Sept. 1.

Several generations of Sacramento’s Campbell Soup Company Plant workers attended to see their story reflected in the new exhibit, “Sacramento In a Can.”  

Roy Puthuff and Jim Meeter were among the 175 coworkers at the exhibit’s opening who exchanged hugs and hearty handshakes. 

Puthuff was a facilities manager for 31 years. Meeter began sweeping floors in 1967 and moved up to warehouse manager until leaving in 2013. 

“You get to see people you haven’t seen in a while,” Meeter said. “It brings back old memories. We had tournaments like golfing, fishing and barbecues. I miss it.” 

The Sacramento Campbell Soup Company Plant was a family affair for Cindy and Bill Fuentes. Cindy Fuentes handled the filler, soup lids and quality inspection. Bill Fuentes was trained to do whatever was needed, including maintenance, shipping and pest control. Both had parents and siblings working alongside them for more than 30 years. 

When the Sacramento History Museum doors opened May 23, the boisterous energy spilled into the rooms. Former employees hugged family and friends and looked at displays and videos. 

The crowd’s excitement had Richard Acala beaming. Acala, who kick-started the exhibit, worked at Campbell’s for 20 years (his last job was in the Prego Department). 

Acala explained how he got the idea for an exhibit. 

“I posted things on Facebook and got a lot of responses from the employees,” Acala said. “I thought we should honor our employees. After the plant closed in 2013 and then was knocked down, everyone felt lost.”

A year and a half ago, Acala said, he reachedout to Delta Pick Mello, Sacramento History Museum executive director and CEO. Pick Mello immediately contacted Mary Ellen Burns, a local historian and author, to do the research and write the stories, according to Acala. 

Acala got to work, too. 

“Former employees had meetings, I sent out fliers and we asked for help,” Acala said. “I contacted Campbell’s Corporate, who donated and matched my contribution. We made it happen.” 

Employees donated their personal Campbell’s memorabilia, of which Acala said, “Every item is very sentimental and will be returned.”

Pick Mello explained the area’s canning history. 

“It was essential to Sacramento’s growth in the 1900s. We talk about being a railroad town and capital city, but our incredible farmland makes us vital to the agricultural world as well. Post-WWII, Campbell’s found Sacramento to be a great locale.”

Neighborhoods sprouted around the plant and small businesses developed at Franklin Boulevard.  

“You find out almost everyone from that area is somehow related to others in the canning business,” Pick Mello said. “They had a seasonal or summer job or their grandparents worked in canning.” 

Employees and children also benefited from the Campbell’s culture. Siblings Larry Bobiles and Amelia Bobiles were original “Campbell’s Kids,” Larry Bobiles said. 

“Our mom worked the day shift and dad was on graveyard shift, and that’s how they raised us,” Larry Bobiles said.

Amelia Bobiles reminisced about the family events hosted by the plant: “We attended Christmas parties at the Memorial Auditorium. It was a big show with Santa and each kid got a gift.” 

As fun as the company could be, the Bobiles children were expected to aim higher. 

“My parents woke us up one morning and told us to put on our ‘crummy clothes’ and took us out picking in the Woodland tomato fields,” Amelia Bobiles said. “We came home and our dad asked us, ‘Do you want to pick tomatoes the rest of your life or go to college?’”

They chose college and Campbell’s helped with that, too. Amelia Bobiles earned a Campbell’s scholarship, paying for all four years at University of California, Davis in 1969. 

“I have to say, if it weren’t for that scholarship, then going to UC Davis and meeting my husband…,” Amelia Bobiles said. “I owe Campbell’s Soup my entire life!” 

Like the Bobiles’ Philipino parents, many immigrants worked at the Sacramento Campbell Soup Company Plant. The plant had signs in multiple languages, including Portuguese, Italian and Japanese. 

Jim Lang, who began working at Sacramento Campbell Soup Company Plant when it opened, was sitting with his former coworker and friend, Mitts Yamamoto, who will be 100 years old in February. They both continue to stay in touch and meet for dinner. 

Lang commented about the exhibit: “They did a beautiful job. Campbell’s hired so many people; they really helped Sacramento.”

During the May 23 exhibit opening, Acala chatted with old friends over a buffet that included cups of tomato soup and small grilled cheese sandwiches, classic Campbell’s comfort food that many Sacramento children and adults relished. 

“It is amazing when somebody looks at something and says, ‘Oh, that’s my family; that’s my story. I remember that,’” Pick Mello said. “To see them come to see their story in a museum is just a joy to me.” 

The exhibit is on two floors at the Sacramento History Museum, 101 I St. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 

Admission prices are free for Sacramento History Museum members and children up to age 5; $6 for youth ages 6 to 17; and $12 for anyone 18 and over.

For more information, visit sachistorymuseum.org/sacramento-in-a-can or call 916-808-7059.