As the United States was taking its first steps as a nation, the foods Americans consumed revealed a great deal about where they stood in society.
Diets of the era ranged widely — some people enjoyed dishes like Parmesan ice cream and terrapin, while others made do with far more modest fare. But access to those foods wasn’t equal. Your social status played a major role in determining what ended up on your dinner table.
A display at Hogshead Trades Museum showcases what a typical meal looked like for working-class people during the 18th and 19th centuries, offering a glimpse into the stark differences that defined everyday life in early America.
