From Ginger to Jello: An Unexpected Christmas History, And A Cookie Swap
From Ginger to Jello: An Unexpected Christmas History, talk by Clara Silverstein, Tues. Dec. 1 at 7p.m. at the Boutwell House. The 19th century poem that begins "T'was the night before Christmas" has given us visions of sugarplums, but in reality the Puritans banned Christmas in 1659 and celebrations were somewhat muted until Christmas became a Massachusetts holiday in 1856. Program traces the authentic history of Christmas celebrations in Massachusetts through popular foods of the 1770s, 1850s and 1930s. Sample and smell tastes of Christmas and leave with historic recipes to try.
Clara Silverstein is Community Engagement Manager at Historic Newton. A former food writer at the Boston Herald, she has published three cookbooks, including The New England Soup Factory Cookbook, a top-selling soup title onAmazon.com. She has directed the Chautauqua Writers' Center, coordinated an Oral History Project at Fidelity Investments and published articles in Runner's World, Hemispheres (United Airlines in flight magazine) and the Boston Globe. She blogs about historic recipes at heritagerecipebox.com.
Thanks to Groton Commissioners of Trust Funds this event is free.
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 to 4 p.m. come to the Boutwell House for an Open House and Cookie Swap. Bring your favorite cookie recipe and some cookies to share. Tell us about your stories and remembrances of those special Holiday times, and recipes your families shared. Take a tour of our current exhibit on Cooking in Victorian Times.