Historical Importance of Corn Featured at Coffee Talk

Author Cynthia Clampitt will address the Des Plaines History Center on the history of corn, its powerful effect on Midwestern life and, subsequently, the world. Clampitt is a recognized authority in the field of agricultural history and author of "Midwest Maize: How Corn Shaped the U.S. Heartland."

She explains the importance of learning not only about corn but agricultural history in general: "I think one of the key reasons is gratitude - gratitude for the incredible abundance and variety we enjoy because of the developments over recent centuries, but also gratitude for those who do the work of feeding us. Thanks to an often ill-informed media, we have ideas that farms are all corporate giants and somehow raised by machines, when in fact 90 percent of all corn is grown on family farms. We pretty much owe our existence to farmers."

All members of the public are invited to attend Thursday, March 14 at 1:30pm to hear more about this dynamic topic. Additionally, the watercolor art of Peggy Macnamara, artist-in-residence at the Field Museum, will be on display in the Des Plaines History Center gallery and open to all attendees.

Attendance is free due to the generosity of Village Bank & Trust. $3 suggested donations are welcome. The History Center's Coffee Talk series began in the winter of 2003. It is an adult program meant to invite public participation and discussion on a broad range of historical topics per the History Center's mission. The next Coffee Talk will feature L. Sue Baugh presenting: "U.S.-Dakota War of 1862: A Forgotten Battle" on Thursday, April 11 at 1:30pm.