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Washington, D.C., circa 1918. "Food Administration War Kitchen, 926 McPherson Street." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.
You rock for posting more images of kitchens and appliances, and for giving us a new tag for "kitchens." Seeing the technology of the day in use is fascinating. Thank you!
If I were the lady sitting behind the table, I would certainly cover my legs. That is one large set of ham hocks! Okay, I'm done being mean!!
What's that on the lap of the third lady sitting in the front row? Looks like a cat, tail and all.
[Some sort of furpiece. Looks like fox to me. - Dave]
Interesting to see the abandoned gasolier chandelier in the background with the newfangled 'lectric fixture in front
The SRO crowd at this cooking demonstration provides us with a fascinating sample of what "real" women were wearing at the time for daytime events, as opposed to the commercial fashion illustrations that influenced their choices. Despite all the variety seen here in their suits and boots, the fabric of choice for women's hats that year was clearly silk velvet. Ninety years later it's harder to "read" the social and economic class distinctions in dress that were obvious at the time, yet it does appear from their outfits that the women who came to this event occupied a wide range of social niches, from affluent to working class.
Baking of 5-Cent Loaf to be Shown
Experts at War Kitchen Will Demonstrate for Housewives.
Housewives of Washington who would like to know how to bake a 16-ounce loaf of bread for a nickel should step around to McPherson place and K street at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. There the city's first "war kitchen" will be in operation and experts will demonstrate the most economical way of meeting the present food problem.
The kitchen is operated by the food administration, with Mrs. Frank P. Wilcox and Mrs. A.J. Driscoll in charge. There will be demonstrations on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 2 o'clock, an on Wednesday there will be an inaugural luncheon. Carl Vrooman, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, who was instrumental in the establishment of the "war kitchen" will speak.
Washington Post, Oct 21, 1917
How to Bake War Bread Taught District Women by Food Experts
Housewives of Washington had their first practical lessons in the making and baking of war bread yesterday when the war kitchen of the food administration at McPherson place and K street northwest was opened. The attendance at both morning and afternoon sessions far exceeded expectations. A brief address was made by Mrs. Frederick T. Du Bois on methods of practical conservation, in which she pointed out how every housewife might do her bit toward winning the war.
In the war kitchen, Mrs. F.P. Wilcox showed how wholesome and tasty war bread may be made by using a mixture of corn meal and flour. The saving of flour by this method is about 80 per cent, she explained. The women did not merely listen to an explanation of how the bread is made. They rolled up their sleeves and made it. Every housewife was allowed to take home her baking, upon payment of the actual cost of the ingredients used.
"Practical lessons in baking war bread, we believe, will be a real step toward the conservation of wheat," said Mrs. Wilcox. "In our classes here we'll show housewives how to mix and bake the bread. They will do the actual work themselves and so will be equipped to continue at home."
There will be classes at bread baking at 10 and 2 o'clock daily this week. Next week, housewives will be instructed in soup-making and later will come demonstrations that will teach the conservation of fats, milk, sugar and other commodities. Miss Wesleyan, the bureau of agriculture expert, will give a demonstration at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Washington Post, Oct 23, 1917
Difficult to comprehend, I know, but they don't appear to be caught up in the excitement here.
Look here, ladies, this is a dinosaur egg. Some of you can recall when it was laid..."
This photo depicts the origin of the saying, ""Too many chefs spoil the broth."
There... there... there's a woman in that crowd WITHOUT A HAT!
SOMEONE GET THAT WOMAN A HAT!
...Please remove their hats!!
Funny, the only one not wearing a hat is the cook. Also, looks like money gets the best seats in the house.
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