|
Department of Parks
Smithsonian Exhibit To Visit Old Fort Harrod State Park
HARRODSBURG, Ky. -- The food on the American table may not define exactly what we are as a nation, but the traditions surrounding our foods speak volumes about who we are.
A Smithsonian traveling exhibition on American food will be visiting Old Fort Harrod State Park in December and January that will show the diversity of our eating habits.
“Key Ingredients: America by Food” delves into the historical, regional, and social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations of the American table. The newest exhibition from Museum on Main Street, a partnership of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the Kentucky Humanities Council, “Key Ingredients” will open at Old Fort Harrod State Park’s Black Box Theater on Saturday, Dec. 9 and be on view through Jan. 20.
Through a selection of artifacts, photographs, and illustrations, “Key Ingredients” examines how culture, ethnicity, landscape, and tradition influence the foods and flavors we enjoy across the nation. The exhibition also looks at the evolution of the American kitchen and how food industries have responded to the technological innovations that have enabled Americans to choose an ever-wider variety of frozen, prepared, and fresh foods. The exhibition also addresses the entrepreneurial spirit on which many food production companies are based, such as food pioneers Heinz, Campbell, and Borden.
Harrodsburg will welcome the Smithsonian exhibit in December and will also host other events to correspond with the exhibit. The grand opening will be held on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Mercer County Public Library will have aprons on display throughout the months of December and January and will also host an opening reception on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 3-5 p.m. The local Rotary Club will host Kentucky Humanities Council speaker, Hugh Ridenour, on Dec. 13.
The exhibit will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 2 for the holidays. Events will begin in January with Terry White speaking about food traditions in Harrodsburg on Jan. 7 at the Ragged Edge Community Theater. Chef Mark Williams with Brown Forman will also have a Slow Food Reception during this time.
Tony Shirley, the county extension agent, will host a Vegetable Gardening 101 class on Jan. 9 at 11 a.m., Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. and Jan. 13th at 11 a.m. All classes will be held at the Black Box Theater at Old Fort Harrod State Park. Kentucky Humanities Council speaker Daryl Harris will speak at the Mercer County Public Library on Jan. 14th at 3 p.m. Mark Sohn, another Kentucky Humanities Council speaker, will also present in Harrodsburg on Jan. 18.
The exhibit will be open for the public to view at Old Fort Harrod State Park’s Black Box Theater Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Old Fort Harrod State Park is offering a discounted ticket of just $1 to tour the Fort while visiting the Smithsonian Exhibit. For more information contact 859-734-6811 or 859-734-9614 or 859-734-3314 or view the website at www.keyingredients.org.
--30--
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov
|