The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum is pleased to announce the opening of their local exhibit, “Key Ingredients: Jackson Hole Flavors,” on Sunday, December 2 from 1-5 p.m. The special exhibit explores Jackson Hole food culture and is associated with Key Ingredients: America by Food, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition slated to open in the area on December 13. Artifacts from the museum collection, including select recipes that have been interpreted, give museum visitors a sense for the evolving food culture of Jackson Hole. The free event is held at the history museum, 225 N. Cache.
Concurrently, a holiday exhibit opens to celebrate the season. Beverages and favorite cookies from Jackson Hole cooks will be served during Sunday’s afternoon opening celebration.
A children’s workshop delights children of all ages and their families in the museum classroom from 1-5 p.m. Parents are invited to help their youngsters decorate cowgirl and cowboy cookies.
At 2:00 p.m. Andrea Graham, Folklife Specialist, delivers a program entitled “Foodways in the Intermountain West.” During the program, held in the exhibit gallery, attendees will learn about the importance of food traditions in our culture. Graham studied food culture in the American Studies Program at the University of Wyoming, where she conducts fieldwork statewide and produces public programs. She has worked for state and regional arts and cultural organizations in South Dakota, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida and Nevada, including ten years as the Folk Arts Coordinator for the Nevada Arts Council. Andrea has also worked as an independent folklorist in California, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. She holds an M.A. in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania, and has worked in public folklore since 1980.
The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum and the Art Association of Jackson Hole, in cooperation with the Wyoming Humanities Council will host the local showing of Key Ingredients: America by Food, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. The exhibit delves into the historical, regional and social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations of the American table. The exhibition will be on view beginning December 13 and continuing through January 20 and will give Jackson Hole residents an opportunity to celebrate the region’s food heritage.
An interactive website, www.keyingredients.org, has been developed in conjunction with the exhibition. The site invites people across the country to share their family recipes and food stories, learn about other food traditions and identify favorite small town eateries.
Key Ingredients is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more about Key Ingredients and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.
Please contact Shannon Sullivan, curator of collections at 307-733-2414, or visit www.jacksonholehistory.org for more information and for a full itinerary of programs and events associated with Key Ingredients.