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In the 19th century cooking a meal for one's family was an art form unto itself. At Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) there are several unique opportunities available to prepare and eat a meal the way the early Americans did. "Families Cook" is an event that offers families with children ages 8 and above the opportunity to prepare, with the help of historically costumed OSV staff, a complete 19th century dinner by the hearth. The event has been happening at OSV for the last six to seven years. For those without children, or who prefer a more adult oriented version of "Families Cook,'' OSV offers "Dinner in a Country Village." This program features participants doing the chopping, mixing and stirring with the assistance of costumed interpreters. Participants roast meat just like those in the 1800s, using a tin reflector oven, fire up a brick oven, as well as mull cider over the hearth. The meal is all prepared and eaten by candlelight. "Dinner in a Country Village" has been a staple at OSV for between 25 to 30 years. Debra Knight is one of the lead historical interpreters at OSV. She has been doing the dinner programs at the Village for almost 15 years. "Families Cook" is geared toward more appropriate food for children,'' she said. "For example, the traditional trifle dessert is cake, custard and fruit with sherry or brandy because the cake that's used is usually older and the liquors help to moisten it. The whipped cream was also flavored with almond liquor. The "Families Cook" program does not have the liquors in the trifle." According to Knight, children were an integral part of the meal preparation in the 19th century. "Families Cook" is limited to 14 adults and children and reservations are required. The meal is an elaborate one that this year includes: cider, potted cheese with bread, roast stuffed chicken, cranberry sauce, roasted carrots, mashed potatoes, long rolls, apple pie, trifle and coffee or mulled cider. The dinner is capped off with 19th century games by the fire. "Dinner in a Country Village" is an adult hands-on program where participants are truly the ones doing the work, and the Village staff is only there to guide. This is limited to 14 adults ages 18 and older. "Besides making reservations, it's important to remember this occurs in the wintertime. Participants should be prepared for the weather and wearing layers is best,'' Knight said. "They should wear things that are comfortable and remember a lot of the preparing is in front of the fire." Knight said a true 1800s farm family meal was prepared and cooked during the morning hours. "In the 19th century the women would work in the kitchen while the children went to school and the men went to work in the fields,'' she said. "Dinner was in the middle of the day when the children came back from school and the men came in from the fields. Evening meals were referred to as "teas" and were a lighter meal that was generally something warmed up in a kettle by the fire. It was very simple fare such as pudding, pies or fritters. Being a farm family was physically demanding, so they would need to have a lot of calories to keep going." Those who are scheduled for "Dinner in a Country Village" will be greeted at 5 p.m. at the entrance and a village guide will escort them to the house where the event is hosted. "We generally start things as soon as we can and by 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. we're sitting down to eat,'' Knight said. "We eat for about 45 minutes then at the end of the evening we go into the parlor and the Village costumed staff has set up the trifle and coffee. Occasionally there are staff who have musical instruments and storytelling. The event ends around 9:30 p.m." Dates for upcoming "Dinner in a Country Village" are: Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. For a full schedule of event call 800-SEE-1830 or visit www.osv.org. |
