PICNIC ON THE GRAND
Exploring Food History at Ruthven Park

Mark Saturday, August 19, 2006 on your calendar!
Ruthven is excited about partnering with the Culinary Historians of Ontario (CHO) to host an event focusing on food from the 1840's up until the 1960’s or during the Thompson family association with the home. Mansion tours will be enhanced with interpretation from a member of the CHO who will be stationed at locations throughout the house. Some areas of the mansion not normally open for tours will be featured for this special event. Artifacts/architecture, references to the Thompson's family letters or household inventories and accounts, photographs, tastings and recipe handouts will add interest and “flavour” to the food experience. The event will also include a tour of the grounds with particular attention to areas which contributed to the supply of food for the household. A picnic lunch based on Thompson family cookbook references will be provided. Other activities will complement the day! Pre-purchased tickets will be available soon!

The Culinary Historians of Ontario is an information network for foodways research in Ontario. This membership based organization researches, interprets, preserves and celebrates Ontario's culinary heritage. Members of the group have been visiting Ruthven over the past two years to carry out research for the programme and meeting with the Ruthven staff to plan the event.