The Cultural and Technological History of American Kitchens

FAIN: GM-50447-05

Historic New England (Boston, MA 02114-2702)
Kenneth Charles Turino (Project Director: September 2004 to July 2006)

Planning of a nationally traveling exhibition, public programs, and publications on the cultural history of the kitchen in America.

For much of the nation’s history, the kitchen has held a central role in the lives of American families. Historic New England/SPNEA seeks planning support for a national traveling exhibition on the history of the kitchen in America. Appealing to a broad audience, the exhibition, related programs and publications, explore the production, procurement, cooking, and service of food over four centuries. The exhibition addresses the impact of changing technologies on the architecture of the home, on cooking, and on family life. Two day-long Consultant Conferences during the year-long planning process will assist Historic New England's staff in refining thematic content and interpretive strategy for the exhibition and programs.