The Historical Society of Princeton (HSP) is hosting its second annual HistoryFest on Sunday, September 30, between 1:00 and 4:00 PM at Updike Farmstead. This year’s theme is “Edible History.”
Admission is free, and guests are invited to bring a picnic lunch (or snack) to enjoy on the grounds, along with music and lawn games. Special activities include hands-on cooking for families, a costumed presentation, “Revolutionary Tea,” and an Open Archive featuring artifacts and documents from HSP’s collection.
“We’re always so excited to welcome community members of all ages to Updike Farmstead, particularly for HistoryFest,” said Izzy Kasdin, Executive Director of the Historical Society. “HistoryFest presents multifaceted activities that allow visitors to enjoy all that our historic property has to offer, and we’re thrilled that we can share the full day’s events free of charge with the community.”
HistoryFest is made possible by the generous support of Charles Schwab.
At 1:30 and 3:00 PM, educator Brianna Nurse, of Edible History, brings participants a food history experience that focuses on the ingredients and cooking styles of New Jersey residents of the past. The class is structured as a group learning experience, with a mini-lecture, followed by a hands-on cooking activity creating dishes with ingredients of the Lenni-Lenape and European settlers. The class will highlight the seasonal food lifestyles of both groups, including their diets, farming, and food storage practices. Registration, available online, is recommended, as space is limited. For ages 8 and up.
At 2:30 PM, History on the Hoof’s Stacy Roth presents her signature performance, “Revolutionary Tea,” which includes the social history of the era, as well as quotations, poetry, prose, and songs about the popular, and once controversial, beverage.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors can interact with HSP collections materials from classic Princeton restaurants and food culture. HSP’s Curator of Collections and Research, Stephanie Schwartz, will be on hand to share information and answer questions. In addition, between 1:00 and 3:00, a representative from the Peacock Inn will be there to share historical knowledge of the iconic property, as well as their vision for its future.
