MELBOURNE — The Melbourne Public Library combines two interests — food and the past — in its “Taste of History” series, free and open to the public. The series, which debuted in June, will have its next installment today at 6 p.m. at the library, with a focus on the Great Depression.
Attendees will get to sample beans and greens, potato soup, Wacky Cake (made without eggs, milk or butter), Apple Pandowdy and cornbread, washed down with some coffee with chicory or herbal tea.
The concept was inspired by the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, as well as library director Brittany Brewer’s passion for cooking. She says the program has been so popular and fun to put on that it went from a four-part to a six-part series.
“We do five foods and one drink with each one,” she noted. “I knew if I did a (program) with food, I could get people to come in. I first thought maybe one event with one food from each era. I used ChatGPT for some advice for a series. I came up with the foods for everything.”
June’s program spotlighted foods of the Revolutionary War era; July looked at pioneer/Civil War/Oregon Trails cuisine; August was focused on Victorian era eats; September 17 on the Great Depression; October 15 will be on World War II foods; November 12 concludes with the 1950s (all starting at 6 p.m. at the library).
Right after launching the series in June, Brewer traveled to Cincinnati to attend the IMLS Library Convening 250: Telling America’s Story, hosted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The three-day event was aimed at equipping small and rural libraries for America’s semiquincentennial anniversary. While at the conference, she was able to tell fellow participants about her “Taste of History” program and was met with positive feedback.
Brewer said she and assistant Jessica Horn prepare the food for each event in the library’s kitchen. The recipes come from a few sources: the early programs relied on the “Little House on the Prairie Cookbook” while the 30s, 40s and 50s programs were built off ideas found on Pinterest and blogs.
The food is paired with a glimpse into the era. For instance, people will learn how families during the 30s made do with less, how Victory Gardens helped feed people and the rise of diners in the 50s and popularization of frozen “TV dinners.”
“For our (upcoming) program on World War II, I have a woman in her 80s who lives here in town who asked if she would be able to make her mother’s chocolate pudding from that time period,” Brewer said. “She’s going to put it in the little sample cups for us.”
In addition to the pudding, the World War II program will also allow attendees to sample Victory Garden Vegetable Soup, meatloaf with tomato glaze, mashed potatoes, oatmeal cookies and lemonade.
The 50s program will serve up nostalgia paired with mini sliders, macaroni and cheese, tater tots or French fries, Jell-O salad and cherry pie, plus lemonade and root beer floats.
Brewer said attendance has grown with each program.
“Our last event had 31 people in attendance. The first ones, I think, roughly had 20 and 25,” she said. “I’m trying to think of something with this idea to incorporate in the future…taste of the world, letting people try new foods. I’ve enjoyed researching.”
Registration is not required, but appreciated, by calling the library at: 641-482-3115, email: melbournepubliclibrary@gmail.com or via Facebook message. While free to attend, donations are always welcome.
The library hours are as follows: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays from noon to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; closed Sundays and Mondays.
She noted that funding for these types of library programs is made possible through the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation.