Founded in 1926 by S. Wallace Edwards Senior, the business began by selling dry-cured ham sandwiches to hungry passengers on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. Edwards Senior was born in a farming family and learned the ways of dry curing hams from his mother. The business has been passed down though many generations, as well as the skill and science behind curing exquisite meats. Over the years, the family business has grown and today employees 35-60 people.
In January 2016, a fire devastated their facility and limited their product line. As of late 2016, Edwards is back up and running, with much of their product line available again.