Historic Foodways Society of the Delaware Valley

08/20/2026

Just wanted to share the very exciting news that esteemed culinary expert William Woys Weaver's forthcoming book "Pepperpot City" is now available for pre-order via the University of Pennsylvania Press!
https://www.pennpress.org/9781512830040/pepperpot-city/
In addition, Will is disposing of a lot of rare/early PA culinaria in an online store on Ebay. It is listed under WilliamWoys610 for anyone who is interested. A wonderful chance to obtain items for historic sites or private collections!

A lavishly illustrated history, and engaging and accessible tour, of Philadelphia cuisine, including modernized recipes and Weaver’s re-creations of histor...

07/20/2026

Our own Teagan Schweitzer, Ph.D. is doing a program at Stenton Museum, 4601 N. 18th Street, Phila, PA on July 31, 10:30 AM - What Was for Dinner at Stenton? Archaeology and Foodways

When: Friday, July 31st, 10:30-2:00; Coffee at 10:00am.                      Where: Stenton, 4601 N. 18th Street, Phila, PA 19140           

07/20/2026

The Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster, PA has two upcoming in-person foodways talks, one on Aug 28:
https://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/event/america-250-lecture-series-dr-scott-sheely-lancasters-role-in-americas-food-system-lancaster-pa-history-event
And one with Will Weaver on 10/30
https://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/event/america-250-lecture-series-william-woys-weaver-pennsylvania-dutch-food-traditions-lancaster-pa-history-event

07/20/2026

An event tomorrow of interest:

Tickets for Changing Tastes: American Foodways at 250 in New York from NYPL. ​Why do we love our favorite foods? What is “American food”? Explore these questions and more with NYC’s culinary experts. There’s no American melting pot bigger than the diasporic mix of food traditions found in

06/16/2026

Fabulous article by the amazing Michael W. Twitty!

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/no-american-regional-cuisine-until-one-virginia-housewife-thought-compile-diverse-collection-recipes-180988811/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=6152026&utm_content=new&fbclid=IwY2xjawSeB1RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFhOVVuaTBWMXdyT1R1Yktjc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlAzug_TxDM_BEw4_bYm2hOMH-sysxyaXv_F94fr9sglbuuxRhdXmrYfnz6R_aem_WBWc9_xXSNARWVuepQCrng

Mary Randolph, an in-law of the Jefferson family who was influenced by enslaved cooks and traditions of European immigrants, didn’t change Southern cooking with her 1824 cookbook … she originated it

04/23/2026

Missed Dan's Baseball Talk in Reading last year? Here's another chance to hear it!
https://delcolibraries.libcal.com/event/15837951

Join food historian Dan Macey for a delicious deep dive into the evolution of ballpark cuisine. From early peanuts and hot dogs to modern gourmet creations, discover how America’s...

04/20/2026

A great talk!

2 likes. "Culinary Historians | Taste of Revolution: Soldiers’ Food in the War for Independence"

04/19/2026

An event of interest!!

Hearth Cook wanted!

Do you love traditional cooking techniques and want to share them with the world? We are looking for a Hearth Cook to lead demonstrations this summer on dates between July 4 to 25, and August 4 to 6 for our Kids Dig History! program, Revolutionary Kids day camp, and other Living History events.

Previous demonstrations include fasnachts, Christmas cookies, seasonal meals, and more!

Contact [email protected] for more details.

04/19/2026

Calling all hearth cooks!

Hearth Cook wanted!

Do you love traditional cooking techniques and want to share them with the world? We are looking for a Hearth Cook to lead demonstrations this summer on dates between July 4 to 25, and August 4 to 6 for our Kids Dig History! program, Revolutionary Kids day camp, and other Living History events.

Previous demonstrations include fasnachts, Christmas cookies, seasonal meals, and more!

Contact [email protected] for more details.

04/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17HpoTHwoi/
Another item of interest!

Director of Prestigious Scholarships and Public Heritage Studies Jean-Paul Benowitz recently published a historical biography, “Sarah Tyson Rorer, The Pure Food Movement & Mount Gretna’s Rorer Hall of Cookery,” exploring the life and largely forgotten legacy of the first American dietitian, Sarah “Sallie” Tyson Heston Rorer (1849-1937)!

Based in Lebanon County, Rorer pioneered American dietary studies as the founder of the Philadelphia Cooking School and the Chautauqua School of Domestic Science at Mount Gretna, earning recognition as the nation’s first dietitian and a leading culinary and civic leader of the Progressive Era who helped establish home economics education nationwide.

Published in collaboration between the Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society and Lebanon County Historical Society, the book celebrates Rorer’s legacy, with all proceeds helping to preserve local history for future generations.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3NAUaXB.