Taste and discover the history of early New England food on Thursday, September 24th at 6pm, at "As American as Apple Pie: New England’s Historic Food and Drink," featuring a talk from food historians Keith Stavely & Kathleen Fitzgerald, as well as cider, pie, and johnnycakes from local providers.
Stavely & Fitzgerald will present on their books, America's Founding Food: The Story of New England Cooking, and the forthcoming Northern Comfort: The New England Baking Tradition. Discover the history of New England foodways, including the importance of cider in New England farming, regional breads and pies, and the nineteenth-century raconteur who promoted the idea that the cooking—especially the baking—of southern Rhode Island was easily the best to be found anywhere.
In addition to the talk, guests will receive a glass of traditionally produced cider made with historic apple varietals from Sowam's Cider Works, a personal apple pie made with Rhode Island greenings from Babes Pie Co., and samples of Jonnycakes made on site by Kenyon's Grist Mill.
Jamestown, RI, authors Keith Stavely and Kathleen Fitzgerald made their debut with America’s Founding Food: The Story of New England Cooking in 2004. It was deemed a “classic tome” (Choice) and was awarded a 2005 Best of the Best from University Presses selection by the American Association of University Presses. Their other books include the award-winning United Tastes: The Making of the First American Cookbook (2017) and the acclaimed Northern Hospitality: Cooking by the Book in New England (2011). Stavely and Fitzgerald have spoken at international conferences, historical societies, libraries, museums, and to a variety of community and professional groups, bringing the hidden history and cultural significance of New England and early American foodways to light. The latest book, Northern Comfort: The New England Baking Tradition, will be out this November from New York University Press.
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state's oldest and only statewide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting and sharing Rhode Island's past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st -century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center and the Aldrich House.
Find more Rhode Island Historical Society Events
