Delicious food, an essential ingredient at any celebration. But what makes it delicious? The flavors, textures or just sharing it with family & friends, no matter how meager it may be? The historic celebrations of Pinkster and Juneteenth were two very special events in the lives of enslaved and free Africans and Africans born in America. Occasions when they enjoyed the deliciousness of meager food with those they loved. Come explore what was available to them in the 18th and 19th century, and what we enjoy at these celebrations today and why. Following an educational conversation with culinary historian Lavada Nahon, celebratory summer foods will be served.
Lavada Nahon is a culinary historian and interpreter of African American history century in the mid-Atlantic region. She has 18 plus years of public history experience working with a historic sites, societies, and museums across the tri-state region. She has cooked on a variety of historic hearths many of which are no longer in use. She has developed educational programs, after-school programs, lectures and tours, period presentations and historic dinners for sites ranging from the New York Historical Society, Albany Institute of History and Art, Dyckman Farm House Museum, Johnson Hall, and many more. She worked as a museum associate and educator for Historic Hudson Valley for 12 years at Van Cortlandt Manor and Philipsburg Manor Upper Mills, and as a production coordinator for their special events team for 3. Currently she is on the reinterpretation team for Dey Mansion in Wayne, NJ, the home of the Passaic County Historical Society. She is also the newly appointed interpreter of African American history for the NYS Bureau of Historic Sites; a division of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Her mission is to bring history to life both its tastes and by giving presence to the Africans and African Americans enslaved and free in the landmass that was once New Netherland in whatever way possible.
General admission: $35
Discounted admission: $30 (HHS members, seniors, students, active military members, and veterans)
All ticket purchases are final and nonrefundable.