SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — One of the most comprehensive collections of personal Colonel Harland Sanders memorabilia will go to auction July 28 at the Claudia Sanders Restaurant in Shelbyville, the longtime home of the KFC founder and his second wife.

The artifacts originate from Blackwood Hall, where Colonel Sanders and his wife Claudia lived for approximately 25 years. The home served as both a residence and KFC headquarters after the couple relocated to Shelbyville in 1959.

Franchise owners from around the world traveled to the property to learn directly from Sanders, studying the cooking techniques, hospitality standards, and business practices that built one of the world's most recognizable restaurant brands. The artifacts have been preserved by the Settle family, who purchased both Blackwood Hall and the restaurant directly from Colonel and Claudia Sanders in 1974.

"These are not items assembled by a collector," said Bill Menish, auctioneer for the sale. "They are artifacts preserved by the family who purchased the Colonel's home and business directly from Colonel and Claudia Sanders more than fifty years ago."

The collection includes handwritten recipes and cooking notes, personal clothing and accessories, letters from U.S. Presidents, Sanders' engraved pressure cooker, Kentucky Colonel certificates, restaurant training artifacts, franchise materials, personal photographs, Masonic memorabilia, and furnishings from Blackwood Hall. One significant artifact is Sanders' personal working planner, which became the subject of international media attention and litigation that has since been resolved.

A public preview will be held July 27, with the auction beginning at 6 p.m. EDT on July 28. In addition to the memorabilia, sealed bids will be accepted for the historic Claudia Sanders Restaurant property, including Blackwood Hall, the operating restaurant business, furniture, fixtures, equipment, intellectual property, trademark rights, and related assets. The restaurant will remain open and operating throughout the sale process.

Additional auction details and bidding information are available at ClaudiaSandersAuction.com.