About this event
November 19, 6:30 – 8:00pm
Museum Members are invited to arrive early for exclusive admission and bar access beginning at 5:45pm. Doors open to the public at 6:15pm.
$25 General Admission, $20 Museum Member Admission
$150 VIP Table, $120 Member VIP Table (four people)
Not a member? Join today!
Food has long carried political meaning, and during the American Revolution and Early Republic, everyday meals became powerful expressions of identity, resistance, and civic values. From colonial tea boycotts and homemade “Liberty Tea” to Election Cake, Washington Pie, and Mammoth Cheese, Americans used food and dining traditions to communicate political beliefs, celebrate independence, and imagine the future of a new nation.
Join art and culinary historian Dr. Nancy Siegel for a discussion of how food shaped the political landscape of revolutionary America. Through stories of ingredients, recipes, and kitchen objects, Dr. Siegel will explore how ordinary foods became tools of protest, persuasion, and public celebration during one of the most transformative periods in American history. The program will also highlight themes from her new book, Political Appetites: The Power of Food in Revolutionary America, which examines the connections between food, politics, and national identity.
Buy the book ahead of time: Dr. Siegel’s book is available for purchase online directly from the publisher. Use promotional code HPOLAP26 to receive a 30% discount. Bring your copy to the program for Dr. Siegel to sign!
Dr. Nancy Siegel is Professor of Art History and Culinary History at Towson University, where her research focuses on the culinary history of the 18th and 19th centuries. She has provided historical cooking demonstrations, tastings, and lectures at museums and cultural institutions across the country. In addition to her academic work, she serves as an art and culinary consultant for museums and nonprofit organizations.
History Happy Hour is a monthly evening program featuring presentations by historians, authors, and subject-matter experts on a wide variety of historical and cultural topics. Admission includes complimentary beverages and snacks.
Sandy Spring Museum, Inc. is supported in part by funding from the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org), the Montgomery County Government, and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.