Winchester, Virginia, a city steeped in rich history and brimming with culinary delights, is set to host a unique event that perfectly blends these two captivating aspects. From Saturday, August 24th to Monday, September 2nd, 2024, the “Hungry History” event will take place across Winchester, Frederick County, and Clarke County, offering residents and visitors a delectable exploration of the region’s past through the lens of food.
This exciting initiative, brought to you by local museums and historic sites, promises a diverse range of programs and special events designed to tantalize taste buds and ignite curiosity. Prepare for engaging presentations, captivating cooking demonstrations, fun-filled children’s activities, mouthwatering food tastings, special recipe handouts, and insightful agriculture-related programs, all centered around the historical foodways of the area. The event spans various eras of the region’s history, ensuring there’s something to pique everyone’s interest in Food Winchester Va.
Event Highlights: A Journey Through Time and Taste
Pre-Event Kick-off: Tavern Tales at Handley Regional Library
Before the main event commences, history buffs can get a head start at the Handley Regional Library on Saturday, August 17th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Local author Mike Robinson, renowned for his “Winchester Tales” book series, will delve into the fascinating history of local taverns in Winchester. Robinson’s engaging storytelling approach makes history relatable and ensures these tales resonate with audiences of all ages, offering a perfect appetizer for the “Hungry History” week.
Saturday, August 24: A Feast of Historical Flavors
The official kick-off on Saturday, August 24th, is packed with diverse events across multiple locations:
Colonial Cooking at Abram’s Delight Museum
Step back in time at Abram’s Delight Museum from 10 am to 3 pm and witness history come alive through hearth cooking demonstrations in the museum’s 1780s log cabin. Discover colonial food preparation techniques as demonstrators showcase roasting, frying, stewing, and baking methods from the 18th century. This kid-friendly event offers a hands-on glimpse into the culinary practices of the past.
Belle Grove Wine Festival: A Celebration of Local Libations and Historic Foodways
Belle Grove Plantation will host its Belle Grove Wine Festival from 11 am to 6 pm, a delightful event featuring a variety of area vineyards, cideries, a featured brewery, meadery, and distillery. Beyond the beverages, chef demonstrations throughout the day will highlight historic recipes and foodways, complemented by local food vendors offering a taste of modern and traditional flavors.
Viola Lampkin Brown’s Home Cooking Legacy at Josephine School Community Museum
At 11 am, the Josephine School Community Museum in Berryville will celebrate the legacy of Viola Lampkin Brown. Her great-grandson, Perry Davis, will share cherished memories and cooking experiences, demonstrating the skills, techniques, and recipes he learned from her. Attendees can savor samples of these home-cooked delights, experiencing the heart of country cooking.
Grain Grinding and Cider History at Clarke County Historical Association
The Clarke County Historical Association invites visitors from 1 pm to 3 pm to witness the historic Burwell-Morgan Mill in action, grinding grain on 150-year-old grindstones from 1 pm to 2 pm. Following this demonstration, at 2 pm, delve into the history of alcoholic cider in the Shenandoah Valley and its British influences with a talk by Dorette Sobolewski from the Frontier Culture Museum and Stephen Schuurman from Winchester Cider Works. A cider tasting will conclude the event, offering a direct sensory experience of this historical beverage.
The Shoebox Lunch: A Cultural Journey at Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center
From 1 pm to 3 pm at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center, the Local Black History Task Force presents “The Shoebox Lunch: Traveling With Hope and Resilience.” This program highlights the cultural significance of the “Shoebox Lunch” for African American families traveling before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Shoebox Lunches from T-Bones Bar & Grill will be available for purchase (advance reservation recommended), allowing attendees to partake in this symbolic meal while learning about its historical context.
Saturday, August 24 – Monday, September 2: Extended Engagements
Native American Foodways at Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
Throughout the event week, the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (open Wed-Sat, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Sun 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm) offers an opportunity to explore Eastern Woodland Native American culture through a hands-on activity and informative takeaways. The museum’s Longhouse exhibit further enriches the learning experience about Native American traditions.
Civil War Era Food Exhibits at Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation
The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation (open Thurs-Mon, 10 am to 5 pm) will host two free exhibitions. One focuses on food preservation methods used to extend shelf life during the Civil War era, including canning, salting, smoking, drying, and fermenting. The second exhibit showcases soldiers’ wartime equipment, including reproduction rations and food preparation methods. Children can engage with coloring pages and a scavenger hunt, making history interactive and accessible.
Sunday, August 25: Civil War Dietary Habits at Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum
On Sunday, August 25th at 1 pm, the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum presents “Chow time: Dietary Habits of Civil War Hospital Patients and Confederate and Union POWs.” This program delves into the diets of Civil War hospital patients and prisoners of war from both sides. Enjoy light refreshments and a variety of coffees while learning about these historical foodways. Online registration is available.
Monday, August 26 & Thursday, August 29 & Monday, September 2: Civil War Food Habits at Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters
Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters will host a talk titled “What’s Cooking?: Winchester’s Changing Food Habits During the Civil War” at 11 am on Monday, August 26th, Thursday, August 29th, and Monday, September 2nd. A museum docent will lead the presentation, and attendees can sample a popular food of the era – a hand pie provided by Knead Bread.
Monday, August 26 – Monday, September 2: Homeschool History at Newtown History Center
The Newtown History Center offers a special program for homeschoolers called “Homeschool Hunters” (available school days by reservation). Students can explore the Steele Bros. Store exhibit and discuss changes in food technology as reflected in historical artifacts.
Tuesday, August 27: Historic Kitchens at Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
On Tuesday, August 27th, from 2 pm to 4 pm, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) invites visitors to drop by and explore its Historic Kitchens. An exploration station will be set up with an educator to interact with, providing insights into objects used for food preparation in the Shenandoah Valley across different time periods.
Thursday, August 29 & Sunday, September 1: Enslaved Cook Judah at Belle Grove Plantation
Belle Grove Plantation presents “Kneading in Silence: A Glimpse into the Life of the Enslaved Cook Judah” on Thursday, August 29th at 2:30 pm and Sunday, September 1st at 3:30 pm. This 30-minute presentation sheds light on the life of Judah, Belle Grove’s enslaved cook, using rare primary source documents to reveal insights into her and her family’s life. The program takes place in the winter kitchen of the Manor House, adding to the immersive historical experience.
Thursday, August 29: Farm, Family, Freedom Driving Tour at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park offers a “Farm, Family, Freedom” driving tour on Thursday, August 29th at 2 pm. Join a park ranger for a one-hour tour visiting an 1800s farm. The tour explores the Shenandoah Valley’s history from early settlements through the Civil War and Reconstruction, highlighting the story of James Foster, an enslaved man, and his free wife, Mary Petty. The tour includes a short walk around the Bowman-Hite Farm buildings, meeting at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Museum and Visitor Center.
Friday, August 30: Virginia Apples & Cider at Handley Library & Newtown History Center
Friday, August 30th features two cider-related events. From 5:30 pm to 7 pm at Handley Library, Diane Flynt, founder of Foggy Ridge Cider, and local cidermaker David Glaize, of Winchester’s Glaize Orchard and Old Town Cidery, will discuss “Virginia Apples & Cider: Past, Present and Future.” Enjoy archival images of Winchester’s orchard history and cider sampling from Old Town Cidery (small fee for tasting).
Later that evening, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm, join Rick Kriebel from the Newtown History Center at Valerie Hill Winery for a talk on the historic Rust House, home to the winery’s tasting room, with food-related historical highlights. Wine will be available for purchase.
Saturday, August 31: Patsy Cline Block Party & Civil War Candy at Patsy Cline Historic House & Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum
Saturday, August 31st offers sweet treats and musical history. The Patsy Cline Historic House hosts its 14th Annual Patsy Cline Block Party from 10 am to 4 pm, celebrating Patsy Cline’s Birthday with signature drinks inspired by those she served at Gaunt’s Drugstore. Enjoy live music and a special “Patsy’s Homegrown Roots” exhibit while sipping on these historic concoctions.
At the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum at 1 pm, Susan Benjamin, President of True Treats, presents “Blue-Gray Sweets: Civil War Candy.” Discover the history of sugar and sweets during the Civil War era, learn about their uses, and enjoy sampling historical candies. Online registration is available.
Saturday, August 31 – Sunday, September 1: Agricultural History at La Grange Family Farm
La Grange Family Farm will be open from 10:30 am to 4 pm on Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st. Visit this stone dwelling built in 1758, which served as a Civil War hospital, and enjoy a free agricultural and house tour of this revived farm operated by a former chef. A petting zoo with dairy goats adds family fun, and a farm stand offers local produce and goods.
Participating Restaurants & Brewery: Taste the Flavors of Today and Yesterday
Several local restaurants and breweries are joining the “Hungry History” celebration by offering limited-time menu items inspired by the region’s culinary heritage from August 24th to September 2nd:
- Broken Window Brewing Company: Enjoy a special Pre-prohibition American Porter, brewed with older six-row barley ground at the historic Burwell-Morgan Mill. This porter is an American adaptation of an English Porter, featuring chocolate rye and molasses, offering a taste of brewing history.
- Vault & Cellar: Indulge in dinner specials like Bourbon molasses glazed pork belly with pickled watermelon rind, served with soup beans and cornbread, and Rabbit dumplings. Explore their selection of local wines from Glen Manor, mead from Honey & Hops, and a bourbon flight featuring Virginia-grown grains and historic recipes.
- Bonnie Blue Southern Market & Bakery: Savor Southern Lunch specials featuring Pulled Pork, Collards, Pintos, and Cornbread, alongside classic Banana Pudding, all prepared with locally sourced meats and fresh produce from the Shenandoah Valley.
- T-Bones Bar & Grill (August 24 only): Find the T-Bones Bar & Grill food truck at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center on August 24th during the Shoebox Lunch program and purchase a special shoebox lunch meal including fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, cornbread, and pound cake.
The “Hungry History” event in Winchester, VA, and surrounding areas offers a unique and flavorful way to experience the region’s rich past. Whether you are a food enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking for engaging and family-friendly activities, this event promises a memorable journey through time and taste. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore food Winchester VA and discover the stories behind the flavors of this historic region.
