Culinary Historians of Northern Illinois bring home preserving lessons to DuPage County Historical Museum

Does canning a garden harvest sound overwhelming? It doesn't have to be! The DuPage County Historical Museum, collaborating with its community partner, the Culinary Historians of Northern Illinois, presents "Home Grown: Garden to Table" on Thursday, Oct. 24 to share tips and techniques.

The no-stress lesson in home preserving will include a demonstration, audience participation and take-home samples.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will be on-hand to assist with gardening questions and how to prepare gardens for winter. From making pumpkin pie in a jar to canning pickles, all skill levels can try these hands-on activities that include containers of fall bounty to take home.

The Culinary Historians of Northern Illinois' mission is to seek and understand social and cultural history through the study and celebration of food and drink.

"Canning mattered in the past because it preserved the food we grew so we could feed our families through the cold winter months," Elizabeth Carlson, creator of Ellie Presents and culinary historian, said. "Today, it's easier and sometimes cheaper to buy everything we need from the grocery store. But canning is preserving our food, our summer sunshine, our daily trips with the watering can. Plus, it's really fun! There's a little bit of art, a little bit of science, and a lot of love in a glass jar."

The History DuPage Fund of the DuPage Foundation awarded the Museum with a grant to help sponsor their latest exhibit, Home Grown, and its accompanying programming. Home Grown explores the historical methods and tools that DuPage residents used to farm and raise livestock and the impacts agriculture has had on the county's economy, society, and culture. The exhibit is being featured until July 28, 2020.

"The Home Grown exhibit focuses on our agricultural past," Museum Manager Michelle Podkowa said. "Canning and preserving foods is a large part of that since technology had not yet existed for long term storage of foods. Canning is viewed as intimidating to many; our goal is to show how easy it can be to bring more awareness to the art of preserving."

"Home Grown: Garden to Table" will be 7 to 9 p.m. in the museum auditorium, 102 E. Wesley St. in Wheaton. Tickets are $15 per person or $10 for members. For more information or tickets, call (630) 510-4941 or visit dupagemuseum.org.