The Regional History Center and University Archives at Northern Illinois University will have on display historical cookbooks, recipes, and ephemera from its collection for its exhibit: “You Are What You Eat: Cookbooks as ingredients to shape identity and community.” Cookbooks and recipes often reveal more than just a list of ingredients. Ethnic recipes help preserve a cultural heritage and demonstrate different cultures that exist in an area. Passing along a favorite family recipe helps keep the memory of family members alive. We will explore how cookbooks have created a sense of identity in the northern Illinois region. The exhibit, which is being curated in conjunction with American Archives Month and the 50th anniversary of the University Archives, will be on display through November 15th on the first floor of Founders Memorial Library.
To celebrate these events and make the exhibit more interactive, the Center will be hosting an exhibit grand opening and reception on October 16th for NIU staff, faculty, students, and the public.
· Thursday, October 16, 2014
· 4:30 to 6:30 PM
· Exhibit in Founders Memorial Library foyer
· Reception in the Regional History Center, room 400
· Light refreshments will be served
Parking is available in the NIU visitor’s lot located to the west of the library, off of Carroll Avenue.
The staff will be re-creating a few of the recipes featured in the exhibit, and copies of these recipes will be available for guests to take home. We will encourage visitors to make these recipes, share photos and stories, or share their own favorite recipes on our Facebook page throughout the month of October. We will also have a photo gallery on our Flickr site. For more information, links to our social media sites, and to view our digital exhibit, visit: http://libguides.niu.edu/cookbooks