Summer has to be the shortest season in Vermont. Hard to believe that school starts in a few weeks, which means we’re already thinking about programs and trips for our amazing young historians. However, there is still lots of Friday Farmers Markets on the Proctorsville Green as well as programs.
JAM RECIPE: In July we’ve been doing a “Taste of History” at the Friday Farmer’s Market, offering various food items that would have been made in Cavendish during the Revolutionary War time period. The summer newsletter includes the recipe for Switchel. By request this is the blueberry jam we made for one of the “tastings:”
• 4 cups of blueberries (you can use frozen but we’re at the height of blueberry picking)
• 1/3 cup of maple syrup
Bring to a medium boil over medium heat. Use a potato masher or spatula to mash the blueberries and break them open. Once the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat so you have a gentle boil. Cook for approximately 30 minutes or until the mixture has reduced and thickened (210F). Run a rubber spatula across the bottom of the pot until it leaves a "path" for a moment before the jam fills it in. Transfer the jam to a jar and let cool completely before putting on the lid. Keep in the freezer or refrigerator.
Modern recipes would add the juice of a lemon to this recipe but 18th century Vermonters wouldn’t have had access to lemons and might have added vinegar instead. It’s fine either way, just a bit looser without the pectin from the lemon.
FARMERS MARKET: CHS will continue to be at Friday evening markets on the Proctorsville Green from 4-7. For August 1st, we’ll be tasting bread made with just flour, water and salt. Stop by for a visit and play a game of “Graces” with some of our vendors who are becoming quite the experts.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Note that all events are free and open to the public
August 10 (Sunday): Dr. Charis Boke will be leading a medicinal plant walk at Greven Field. Meet at the Museum at 2pm. See article below for more information.
Sept 28 (Sunday): 2 pm Dr. Boke will be speaking about the history of air pollution, miasma and herbal support for lungs.
Sept 14 (Sunday): Annual Phineas Gage Walk and Talk. Begins at 2 pm at the Museum.
October 11 (Saturday): Tea Blending Workshop with Dr. Boke at 2 pm.
October 12 (Sunday): Last day the Museum is open for the season.
November: Proctorsville Ghost Walk Date and time TBA.
MEDICINAL PLANT WALK: Greven Field has flooded many times since July 2023. In the fall of 2024, Dr. Charis Boke, a research scientist at Dartmouth, with a speciality in Medical and Environmental anthropology, and a focus on herbalism and alternative medicine, was working in Cavendish on a Rivers Project. As we walked through this field, that once hosted many a baseball game, Dr. Boke began to point out the wide array of plants that had sprung up since the floods. She explained how they were not only helpful in restoring the land but also had many uses for people.
Having led three workshops last year for the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), we are thrilled to once again be hosting Dr. Boke for another three workshops this season. The first, a medicinal plant walk, will be on Sunday, August 10, at 2 pm. We will be meeting at the CHS Museum on Route 131 in Cavendish, and will car pool to the site. Given limited parking in this area, we ask that people come to the Museum.
Participants should wear walking shoes and bring a water bottle and bug spray. This walk is free, open to the public but not suitable for young children. Donations are welcomed and appreciated. For more information call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
ON-LINE: The Summer CHS Newsletter
Donations for CHS can be sent to CHS, PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. Checks should be payable to the Cavendish Historical Society.
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