Colonial Cooking

The local Children of the American Revolution Captain Austin Roe Society spent a Colonial day of cooking and sewing at the Ketcham Inn, (81 Main. St., Center Moriches) on February 22nd. The President of the Ketcham Inn Foundation, Bertram Seides, led a personal tour of the Inn to the adults while the children prepared lunch. Colonial lady Diane Schwindt taught the children safety around the hearth, cooking during the Colonial times, and sewing. The historically recreated hearth at the Ketcham Inn was recently added. They learned that leather shoes at the open fire hearth is necessary to avoid being burned by sparks from the burning wood. Chicken soup was assembled in the big pot and hung over the burning wood in the hearth. The cows would have been milked at 4:30 a.m. It is not pasteurized, so the milk sits and the cream portion rises to the top. This cream was turned into butter. The children shook the cream in a covered bowl until it became butter- what a new way to make this delightful product! Sewing hearts during the cooking of the soup made a decorative item for the home. The family table was set for a yummy lunch. The children learned where the word yummy came from- it is a Colonial term from the servants who said Yum Yum and shortened it to yummy! (important Black History Month information!) This is a nice term that we love to use even today! And, yes, it was good soup! Yummy!

This was a winter break well spent! Tours of the Ketcham Inn may be scheduled by calling 631-878-1855. Please ask for Bertam Seides.

If you think you have a Revolutionary War Great Grandparent who served in the war or supported the war effort, then this is the group for you! The society promotes education for children. The children also have opportunities of community service. Please contact Senior President Joan Nathan at captainaustinroesociety@gmail.com