Step into the heart of the home in this episode as we explore Cooking Up History: The Evolution of Kitchens and Cookbooks, a featured exhibit at the Old Courthouse Museum in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Host Staci Mergenthal talks with Jill Van Veldhuizen, Education Assistant, Molly Engquist, Curator of Exhibits, and Jessie Nesseim, Curator of Collections about how American kitchens—and the cookbooks that fill them—have transformed over time. 

Discover the social, cultural, and technological shifts that turned kitchens from open hearths to modern hubs of the home. We discuss the rise of community cookbooks, how immigrant traditions and holiday treats influenced South Dakota’s food culture, and why vintage cookbooks were once filled with everything from recipes to stain-removal tips. Whether you’re a history buff, cookbook collector, or a curious cook, this episode is a flavorful journey through time.

Old Courthouse Museum

The Old Courthouse Museum is part of the Siouxland Heritage Museums system: https://siouxlandmuseums.com

Old Courthouse Museum Website: https://siouxlandmuseums.com/index.php/welcome-to-the-siouxland-heritage-museums/old-courthouse-museum/

Current Old Courthouse Museum Exhibits: https://siouxlandmuseums.com/index.php/old-courthouse-museum-exhibits/

Facebook: Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls, SD

200 W 6th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

605-367-4210

Admission is free, with an option to give a free will donation.

Mentioned in This Episode

“The Buckeye Cook Book and Practical Housekeeping”

“The White Ribbon Cook Book”

“The Kitchen Front” by Jennifer Ryan

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Host and Producer, Staci Mergenthal

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