Key Ingredients: America by Food

May 27, 2005 - March 10, 2006

Key Ingredients: America By Food explores the connections between Americans and the foods they produce, prepare, preserve, and present at table. It is a thoughtful look at the historical, regional, and social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations.

Through a selection of artifacts, photographs, and illustrations, Key Ingredients examines the evolution of the American kitchen and how food industries have responded to the technological innovations that have enabled Americans to choose an ever-wider variety of frozen, prepared, and fresh foods. Key Ingredients also looks beyond the home to restaurants, diners, and celebrations that help build a sense of community through food. Key Ingredients addresses farming, table manners, history, markets, and kitchen gadgets in a presentation that stimulates comparisons of back then and right now, over there and right here.

The exhibition offers many opportunities for host organizations to link their own collections and local food specialties to the story told in the exhibition. KHC anticipates that this exhibit will expand our understanding of both past and present immigrants to our state and our communities, engage residents as well as out-of-town visitors, create conversations, and inspire community recollection and celebration.

Click here to read the essay "Preserving Traditions" by Key Ingredients scholar Thomas Fox Averill.

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