LONESOME HISTORIC SITE

2006 TN-96  •  Burns, TN 37029  •  206-953-2766

Copyright © Lonesome Historic Site. All rights reserved.

Station 9: Food

In 1820 most Americans ate what they grew or hunted locally. Corn and beans were common, along with pork. Cows provided milk, butter, and beef. Venison, wild turkey, wild hogs, fish, and other game provided meat. Preserving food in 1820, before the era of refrigeration, required smoking, drying, or salting meat. Vegetables were kept in a root cellar, dried, or pickled. 

Blackberries, plums and other wild fruits were considered a lifeline in the early days. and the bees in the early days created a custom to go bee hunting. Many of the early settlers would travel for miles into the wild country in search of the hive. They would simply follow the bee to the hive to gather honey.

A few families grew flax for fabric, and sheep were raised for their wool. A small wheel spun the flax into finer fabrics such as dresses; wool from the sheep was made into yarn for knitting.

There was a general understanding against cutting down apple trees in the early American days. One tree provided raw fruit, cider for drinking, applesauce, dried fruit, and vinegar.

Compare the foods individuals and groups on this farm ate in the past to how they eat today.

Construct a timeline to depict the way we get food from the time of hunting and gathering until the present time.