My children Divyam and Soumya- Priyam are always on the lookout for something related to Baking which would be of interest to me- their Maa Baker 🧑🍳
Last week we were exploring the Music city – Nashville. In an antique shop they came across a very interesting book compiled by members of ‘ 20th Century Club’ of Wichita.
More about this book-
In 1913, 10 young girls in Wichita, Kansas formed a club where they started some social work and today, after 100 years, it is still existing and doing social work for the community in Wichita, Kansas.
‘The 20th Century Bride’s Cook Book’ compiled by the members of ‘The 20th Century Club’ has recipes of appetisers, beverages, Breads, cakes, desserts , salads and sauces and many more.
Other than the recipes, there are interesting advertisements of those days where the details were spelled out for convenience of the consumers in ‘black and white’.
In this book there is a Preface by the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Club, where she says that there are advertisements which would be of interest to the new brides/ readers and she is recommending patronage for these firms. She also confirms that all the recipes are tried and tested and contributed by the members of the Club.
The Wichita Chamber of Commerce address to the ‘Bride’ is very interesting where they say that the brides also make homes like the Chamber of commerce which through its commercial and industrial activities are driving to build homes which will provide profitable employment in business and in professions.
The address of The Wichita Chamber of Commerce also mentions a ‘Business Protective Bureau’ was it for fair competition or fair pricing??
The advertisements are so very cute, specially the one which says
‘ Will you still send her flowers? …. We Telegraph Flowers’
To help the brides plan dinners and events at home there are menus suggested for them- Valentine, Christmas Dinner, Mestless Dinner etc
And last but not the least there is a page on ‘Budgeting’-
There is a happy home plan, how to budget your income, budget guide for 2, 3,4 in a family!!
Friends, I will be trying out the ‘tried and tested recipes’ of this wonderful book and sharing with you, now and then on my website after modifications, if needed.
Going through this book one realises how thoughtful the 10 young girls of Wichita were, way back in 1913, when they decided that Club activities should not limit to only merry making but they should also do something meaningful for the society. From that benevolent thinking emerged an idea of this book where so many members of the 20th century Club contributed. This book which is a reflection of the society at that time, is relevant even today after almost hundred years.
So much to learn for all of us. We should also chronicle our tried and tested recipes and pass them on to the next generation so that the legacy continues……