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1908
Board, Armstrong and Company was established on the waterfront of Alexandria, Viriginia when Frank Armstrong Sr. and B. Fleet Board purchased cider vinegar business of Semmes, Kelly, Board Company. The first shipments of repackaged New York State vinegar were made in August. The first manufacturing plant was built in Alexandria a year later.



 
1913
Upon the death of Mr. Board, Frank Armstrong Sr. organized National Fruit Product Company, Inc. on March 1. Under Armstrong's leadership, the young company began marketing its vinegar in glass packages, which consumers readily accepted.
 
1915
A second vinegar plant, similar to the Alexandria facility, was built in Winchester, Virginia to take advantage of the numerous apple orchards located in the area. In 1918, the company began processing other apple products, improving upon known methods by increasing from four pounds of apples to over six pounds in a #10 can.
 
1919
Another vinegar plant was opened in Martinsburg, West Virginia, followed by a fourth plant in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1921. In July of 1925, the Alexandria plant was destroyed by fire and was not rebuilt, with production needs transferred to Winchester.
 
1929
This marked the beginning of period of expansion. Five companies were purchased resulting in adding plants in Glassboro, New Jersey, Peach Glen, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Georgia, and Strasburg, Virginia. In addition, the Martinsburg plant grew through the addition of fruit pectin and apple juice lines.
 
1930
Around this time, apple sauce became a major product at the Winchester Plant. In addition, the company began to produce and market apple butter and apple jelly.
 
1932
The country was in the midst of the Great Depression, which also affected National Fruit. Prior to this time, the company relied on small banks in communities where the plants were located. Afterwards, large banking institutions in different financial centers were used to avoid the banking problems of the depression era.
 
1938
The General Office of the company is moved from Washington, D.C. to Winchester. The old George Washington Hotel on Piccadilly Street housed the Offices for a period of time. In 1948, the building that still houses the General Office was opened across the street from the Winchester Plant.
 
 
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