Candy Thermometer

The candy thermometer did not become available to most housekeepers until the early 1900s when appeared in advertisements and recipes. The professional confectioner's thermometers were longer and more expensive. On the left is a patent from 1878 for a glass encased one...

Soup Tureen

Whether silver or part of a china set, the tureen is a glorious piece for the table. During the Federal period it was generally placed at the bottom end of the table for the first course with the fish platter on the top. ...

Twelfth Night Cakes

Two pictures, from 1869 and 1794, show celebrating Twelfth Night and the cakes. 

New Year's Cookies

Sometimes called New York Cookies since several New York authors, including Washington Irving, included the imprinted cookies in their fiction.  He wrote that Rip van Winkle was stamped on one side and St. Nicholas on the other of the cookies given out on January 1.

Christmas 1863

Christmas Plum Pudding

The 'Christmas' Plum Pudding during the Victorian Era became distinguished from the centuries old plum puddings. It contained rich ingredients, and many were served flaming. A few cookbook authors, such as the British chef Soyer, had a seperate Christmas section.

Egg Nogg Party

"Christmas in the South - Egg Nog Party" from Harper's Weekly, Dec. 31, 1870.  Links to recipes and literary references...

To Market, To Market ... baskets for chickens

A huge variety of baskets have been used over the centuries to take produce to market, as seen in this Market Scene from 1550 by Aertsen. Click on picture to see larger view with details of the baskets.

Virginia Hams

The James River and centuries old methods divide the Virginia hams prepared in Colonial Williamsburg from those by the Edwards’ Ham Company in Surry, Virginia, which I toured in 2008. While the basic technique of salting and smoking to preserve meat is the same, Edwards is able to make use of modern technologies to replicate the seasonal process.

Cranberry Sauce

Eliza Leslie included a recipe for Cranberry Sauce in 1840 using brown sugar.

Lydia Child's Thanksgiving connection

Although Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) today is best known for her cookbooks, most people have sung "Over the river, and through the wood" which is taken from her poem "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day" from Flowers for Children, II, 1845.

Researching at State Archives & County Courthouses

 Each state archives contains copies or original records from local courthouses and other government agencies, but the years vary with each state. Be sure to check probate inventories (left) and other records...

Cranberry harvesting (stealing) in 1864 New Jersey

Excerpt from: Edmund Morris. How to get a Farm, and where to find one. NY: 1864.

Halloween - Ducking (Bobbing) for apples

Ducking for Apples

Ivan Day's Dessert Tables

Ivan Day created a dessert table in two U.S. museums with his exquisite sugar creations and extensively researched food displays.

Scraping By - Conferences, symposiums, exhibits 2009

14 events in 2009

Museum libraries

Most museums contain a library available to the public. It may be one room in a small local museum or a large collection of books and manuscripts. Generally anyone may research their holdings, although a couple, the Folger (DC) and Huntington (CA) have restrictions.

Preserved Pumpkin Chips - 1840 & 1770

Pumpkins can be made into many other recipes other than pie. Be sure that they are of the 'eating' variety not field or jack-o-lanterns. These Chips are sweet preserves to accompany dishes or as a snack.  The 1840 recipe (and the modern interpretation) results in alot of water being taken out...

Gentlemen's Dinner - with ladies

At times, a Gentleman’s Dinner would be just that... only men such as a Social Club [as seen in painting The Dinner Party, Henry Sargent, c1821 in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston] or many dining establishments. Other times in private homes, the female family members might attend.

Rose Geraniums

Rose Geranium leaves can be used to flavor jelly, cakes, sugar and other recipes. So too with other scented geraniums.... Nutmeg geranium makes a very nice jelly, as does Ginger.  In 1803...