Participate in Founding Foods, a day dedicated to fascinating talks about the many different cuisines that played an important role in shaping the early days of the country. This exciting event at Fraunces Tavern Museum features some of the top experts on history, authors, researchers, and culinary scholars to share how the food that people ate can reveal so much about the politics and culture of that period.

Through a series of lectures, panel discussions, tastings and question-and-answer sessions, participants will learn how the preparation and sharing of meals showed the rich diversity and intercultural exchange that defined the country. With a focus on bringing history alive, Founding Foodways is an opportunity for history buffs, food fans, and anyone interested in learning more about America's cuisine from colonial times.

Ticket Prices

Session One: $50 Non-Members | $45 Museum, SRNY, and CHNY members.

Session Two: $50 Non-Members | $45 Museum, SRNY, and CHNY members.

Bundle Package: $75 Non-members | $65 Museum, SRNY, and CHNY members. To complete checkout for the package, both Session 1 and Session 2 must be added to your cart. *

Session 1

Social and Geographical Context of American Food presented by RUSSELL FIELDING

From British Culinary Dialect to a Cuisine: How American Cooking Declared Its Independence presented by STEPHEN SCHMIDT

Searching for Amelia, Author of the First American Cookbook presented by PAMELA COOLEY

Making History: Two Enslaved Chefs, Two Historical Challenges Recovering Hercules Posey and Reassessing James Hemings with KARIMA MOYER-NOCCHI and RAMIN GANESHRAM

Session 2

250 Years of American Barbecue presented by ROBERT MOSS

Tea with BRIDGET BRAY

How Alcohol Shaped Early America presented by CORIN HIRSCH 

Please Note: Select Session 1 first and add it to your cart. Once added, Session 2 will become available to select. Each session offers Member and Non-Member ticket options.

Both Session 1 and Session 2 must be added to your cart to complete checkout.