‘The Frontier Table’
Most Road Trips Foodies have wondered what our pioneer ancestors ate. Food historians Martha and Richard Hartley have come up with the answer for one locality: West Virginia.
They’re the authors of The Frontier Table – A treatise and Source Book on Western VIrginia Foodways History 1776-1860. The book describes which crops were planted and harvested, discusses the food and food equipment which was available for purchase or barter, and talks about the cultural influences on the peoples coming into the Western Virginia “melting pot”.
The Hartleys will talk about their book (and sign copies) during a special event from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. August 24, 2014, in the lobby of the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History, 137 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia, part of Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.
They will present a short commentary on some of their food findings at 2 p.m. Books will be available in the Museum Gift Shop. Scott Cain will provide hammered dulcimer music .Light refreshment of foods prepared from historic recipes will be served. Dr. Ray Swick will be the event host and welcomes conversation.
The following weekend, the Hartleys are presenting two special foodways tours in conjunction with regular tours at the Blennerhassett Mansion on Blennerhassett Island. They’re set for 12:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. August 30, 2014.
The presentation shares insight about the role food played at the Mansion as well as foodways facts and history about the Blennerhassetts and their neighbors. The Hartley’s will be available that Saturday for book signings at the conclusion of each Mansion Foodways tour and at the Island Gift Shop before and after these tours.
This special foodways emphasis is part of the Apple Butter Weekend at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.