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The Foods, People, & Innovations That Feed Us (Smithsonian)

A Sweeping History of Food & Culture with Paula J. Johnson

2024-04-02 13:00:00 2024-04-02 14:00:00 America/Chicago The Foods, People, & Innovations That Feed Us (Smithsonian) Virtually step into the National Museum of American History with Curator Paula Johnson to discuss the book Smithsonian American Table: The Foods, People, and Innovations That Feed Us. Please register. Virtual -

Tuesday, April 02
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Add to Calendar 2024-04-02 13:00:00 2024-04-02 14:00:00 America/Chicago The Foods, People, & Innovations That Feed Us (Smithsonian) Virtually step into the National Museum of American History with Curator Paula Johnson to discuss the book Smithsonian American Table: The Foods, People, and Innovations That Feed Us. Please register. Virtual -

Virtually step into the National Museum of American History with Curator Paula Johnson to discuss the book Smithsonian American Table: The Foods, People, and Innovations That Feed Us. Please register.

American Table is a sweeping history of food and culture that summons everyone to the table for a fresh look at some of the people, ingredients, events, and movements that have shaped how and what we eat.

Johnson, curator and project director of the American Food History Project, will discuss several stories featured in the volume, with an emphasis on those that intersect most directly with the Smithsonian’s research, collecting, and programming around food history.

During this event, Johnson will engage viewers in discovering the connections between food and American history: 

  • How immigration and migration has shaped (and continues to shape) American tables,
  • How food companies have influenced home cooks through advertising, from Jell-O salads to Crock-pots.
  • How individuals from Brownie Wise to James Beard and Julia Child inspired generations of cooks and eaters across the United States.
  • And show viewers how uniting in the kitchen can change the shape of our collective futures, specifically highlighting growers and chefs who are reclaiming and reinventing regional and cultural traditions, including Indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques.

After this enlightening, enriching, and entertaining webinar, you can cook your way through the recipes that are featured in the volume that reflect American history and culture. Hungry for more? Register now! 

About the Speaker: 

Paula Johnson is a Curator in the Division of Work and Industry at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and is responsible for strengthening and maintaining the food history and marine resources collections. She is also the Project Director for the Smithsonian's multi-faceted American Food History Project and director and co-curator for the exhibition, FOOD: Transforming the American Table, which opened in 2012; a refresh of the exhibition was completed in 2019. As one of the curators who collected Julia Child’s home kitchen in 2001, she was also on the team that developed the exhibition Bon Appetit! Julia Child’s Kitchen at the Smithsonian, on view from 2002 to 2012. Over more than three decades at the Smithsonian, Johnson has collected a wide range of artifacts and archives reflecting the work and experiences of diverse Americans and communities.

Johnson has published books and articles on the Chesapeake Bay, maritime communities, and material culture, and has lectured widely on these and topics related to American food and wine history, field research, oral history recording, and community-based documentation. She is an inaugural member of the editorial collective for Gastronomica: The Journal for Food History and received the 2020 Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar in the Humanities Award. Johnson is working on a book about Julia Child’s home kitchen for publication in Fall 2024.

Please Register for link to program.


Live Virtual Author Talks - This new series through Library Speakers Consortium offers live online talks by bestselling authors of books in a variety of genres. Participants receive a link to the program when they register. Please see https://libraryc.org/gailborden to register and also view recorded videos of past speakers.

AGE GROUP: | Virtual Live | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | History | Adult Programs |

TAGS: | |

Virtual

Phone: 847-742-2411

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 9:00PM

Mon, Jul 07 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jul 09 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jul 10 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jul 11 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jul 12 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Jul 13 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

Programs presented virtually through FB, Zoom, YouTube, and other online sources.

Upcoming Events

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Enjoy an interactive storytime with your child that includes books, songs, music, and movement. For ages birth - age 2 with an adult caregiver. Drop-in program! No registration required.

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 10:30am
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime. Ages 1-3 years old with adult caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rakow Branch - Rakow - Corridor
Staff members of Senator DeWitte's office will come out to talk with constituents about their opinions on legislative matters, helping them with Illinois agencies, and more.

Wed, Jul 09, 10:45am - 11:15am
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
Preschoolers will enjoy stories, songs, and activities. Ages 3-5 years old

Wed, Jul 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Sally Lee Fox & Eagle Rooms
The virtual program "Book Party" is now IN-PERSON as Book Explorers. Join Ms. Carrie to read a selection from the book Stink: Superhero Superfan & do some superhero activities.Registration required.
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 09, 11:30am - 12:45pm
Mobile Services
Lords Park- 100 Oakwood Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120

Wed, Jul 09, 11:45am - 1:15pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Room B
Monthly Civil War-focused discussion group. Meets 2nd week of the month. No registration.

Wed, Jul 09, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Love coding robots? Come meet the Ozobot, a fun smart robot that uses visual and block coding to learn programming. You will take the Ozobot on fantastic programming adventures. For grades 3 - 4
This event is full

Wed, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Willow Lakes Estates – club house – 161 W. River Road – Elgin 60123 – 2:00-2:45

Wed, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Studio 270
Let's make our own bath bombs for the perfect spa day! Registration encouraged, but not required. Drop-ins are welcome. Grades 7-12.

Wed, Jul 09, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Highbury Dr., east of Waverly – Elgin 60120 – 3:00-3:45

Wed, Jul 09, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Love coding robots? Join us as we explore coding algorithms using block language and Ozobots. For grades 5-6
Registration is now closed

Wed, Jul 09, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Woodview Circle – corner of Woodview Cr. & Chicago St., Elgin 60120 – 4:00-4:45

Wed, Jul 09, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Mobile Services
Bookmobile stop: Crestwood Apts. of Elgin – info office – 45 Poplar Creek Dr. – Elgin 60120 – 5:00-5:45

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Studio 270
Come talk about what you are currently listening to. Pizza will be provided. Grades 7-12. Registration required.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
¿Alguna vez te has preguntado cómo funciona realmente el dinero? Este seminario te ofrece una visión clara y práctica de los conceptos fundamentales del dinero. ¡Habrá refrigerios y más!

Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library
Aprende en la biblioteca. Participa con otras personas que hablan español o inglés como primer idioma. Learn at the Library with native English and Spanish speakers.

Wed, Jul 09, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Sally Lee Fox & Eagle Rooms
Drop in for some family STEAM fun with stories, activities and a craft!

Wed, Jul 09, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
In this series, learn how to use Microsoft Excel to manipulate, format, and organize numbers and other types of data. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.
Registration is now closed

Thu, Jul 10, 9:30am - 11:30am
Main Library - 2nd Floor - Behind Elevators
Get help with common tech issues like Microsoft Office, using a tablet, hotspots, syncing email with your phone, downloading content, and more. Drop in for personalized assistance at your library.

Thu, Jul 10, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Lobby - Piano
Piano performance in the lobby by volunteer community members.

Thu, Jul 10, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Join us for an interactive storytime! Best for kids birth-6 with an adult caregiver. All ages are welcome. Drop-in! No registration required.

Thu, Jul 10, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Main Library
Designed for toddlers and preschoolers, this open-ended playtime encourages imagination and fun on our KidSpace outdoor patio. Drop in and play—weather permitting!

Thu, Jul 10, 11:30am - 12:00pm
In The Community
Bring a blanket or chair to sit on and listen to a 30 minute storytime about different animal friends. Lords Park Zoo 325 Hiawatha Dr. Elgin, IL 60120

Thu, Jul 10, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Mobile Services
Location: Lords Park Zoo

Thu, Jul 10, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - Grove Room
A Men's Shed is a place geared toward older men to gather, make new friendships while working on projects, learning new skills and hobbies, and giving back to the community. All are welcome.

Thu, Jul 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
Let's make a giant paperchain snake! Registration encouraged, but not required. Drop-ins are welcome. Grades 7-12.

Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
Please find us on the corner of Sherwood Ave and Oakhill Rd. Elgin IL 60120.

Thu, Jul 10, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Mobile Services - Sprinter
132 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120

Thu, Jul 10, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
In The Community - In the Community
Festival Park - 132 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Studio 270 Digital Media Lab
Create a video using a greenscreen, learn tips and tricks. Grades 7-12. Registration required.
This event is full

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Elgin Room
¿El dinero te confunde? ¿Los términos financieros suenan como otro idioma? No te preocupes, aquí lo vamos a aprender todo.

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Join us for this program celebrating Disability Pride Month. We'll enjoy poems, songs, and more. Registration encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Jul 10, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
South Elgin Branch
In this series, learn how to use Microsoft Excel to manipulate, format, and organize numbers and other types of data. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.

Thu, Jul 10, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Conference Room
Join us for a small-group discussion of How To Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann.

Thu, Jul 10, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Grove Room
This writer's peer group will inspire and motivate you using prompts and exercises for creative writing. Writers of all genres are welcome to participate. Please Register.