Historic Cookery

Welcome to Carolina’s Cupboard!

Here you will find my list of merchants who sell appropriate historic items, whether they be iron “S” hooks or herb crushers and graters or ceramic pots.  All are vendors that I’ve used and continue to use.  This list will be fairly specific, and you’ll discover that I believe not every item required for early 19th Century (and earlier) cooking can be acquired from one and only one seller.  You’ll have to pick and choose from several different sources. At least, that’s what I did. Of course, price is always
a consideration, and, as those who know me will attest, I HATE to spend more
than necessary.  Not that I haven’t made a few poor choices; I most certainly have. 
But that’s the point of this section!  Learn from my mistakes and take advantage
of my past purchasing experiences.  Feel free, as well, to suggest other sources.
If you disagree with anything on my list, that’s fine, too. Everyone has their favorites, and these just happen to be mine.  

Let’s get started!         [NOTE:  all are reproductions, unless otherwise noted]
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Stoneware: I must start with a major shout-out to my potter friend and former
co-worker (and fictional husband) at Conner Prairie Museum (CP), Larry Gilliam. 
HUZZAH! For reproduction early 19th century stoneware pitchers, bowls,
storage crocks, mugs, tankards, butter churns, etc. etc., you cannot go wrong. 
Larry has been Master Potter at CP for probably more than 30 years.  When
he retires, all may be lost.  Until then, however, you can contact Larry
at (888) 508-1836. Tell him Lucinda, er, Carolina sent you. 

In addition, for now at least, I would say stick with the stoneware.  Although redware is also available, it’s not the best.  (Sorry, Larry!)  Besides, it’s not
what is made day after day after day. Larry & company’s forte is most definitely
reproduction stoneware. My choice for redware is elsewhere on this list.

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Birch Twig Whisk: Wonderful, period-appropriate birch twig whisks
are currently (3/4/2010) available from Susan McLellan Plaisted.
Either visit her website www.hearttohearthcookery.com or e-mail
her at foodhxsmp@gmail.com. She has a limited supply,
so get yours now!

Cooperage: (18th & 19th Century reproduction wood water buckets,
tubs, butterchurns, piggins, etc.) Norm Pederson, Historic Richmond
Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306; (718) 981-7030;
Montauk1971-buckets@yahoo.com. Does excellent work.

Cooperage: (Reproduction wood water buckets, flour and sugar buckets, etc.)
Ron P. Raiselis, P.O. Box 4054, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03802-4054;
(207) 339-0030. Ron also crafts excellent reproductions.

Copper and brass kettles/pots, knives: Crazy Crow Trading Post

Eating knife & fork set: James Townsend and Son, Inc.
Also G. Gedney Godwin, Inc. and Smoke & Fire.

Fireplace shovel: (iron) Circa 1820. Nice-sized, not too heavy or
too light, hand forged shovels. Great customer service, by the way,
if any problems develop.

Gridiron: (iron, for roasting/grilling meats and fish) Landis Valley Museum
(in the past, you could order this online, but I don’t think you can now,
so you’ll probably need to call) and Historic Housefitters. Both have similar
products, with slightly different dimensions, for about the same price.
At one time, I was going to purchase from Landis, but then I found one
on eBay (and it was MUCH cheaper! HUZZAH!).
By the way, Smoke & Fire also sells one, but I think the legs on what’s
offered are much too long. All of the originals that I’ve seen have the short
legs (roughly 2 to 3 inches). I say choose one of the others above.

Historic Ingredients: Deb Peterson, of Deborah’s Pantry carries a vast
array of those nigh-impossible-to-find ingredients needed for any historic
cooking demonstration.

Herb/vegetable crusher: Antique Hardware and Home

Horn spoons: G Gedney Godwin. I also bought a couple in the Gift Shop
at Washington Crossing Park (Pennsylvania side). They weren’t too
expensive, and I like when I can pick ‘n choose which ones I want.
Particularly with horn spoons, because they often can look like
everyday plastic spoons. I like a little color variation. Helps, too,
with any accidental, “Oh, that plastic spoon? I threw it away.”

Iron ware: Like everything else, I’ve bought items from several different
sources: I got a wonderful, not-too-expensive trivet from the Blacksmith
at Conner Prairie. Call the number above (for the potters), and request
an item and price list; Jymm Hoffman of Hoffman’s Forge custom-made
a spider (skillet on three long legs, no lid) for me, and I have one of his
trammel hooks and a toaster (which, in all honesty, can be found
cheaper elsewhere); inexpensive “S”hooks can be had from Hoffman’s,
G Gedney Godwin and Circa 1820; cooking skewers (great for chicken-
on-a-string) from The Scarlet Scarab; and an inexpensive fire poker can
be found at Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc.
Various items can also be purchased via the Historic Trades craftspeople
at Colonial Williamsburg. It’s a trade-off, however; you’ll be guaranteed
historical authenticity, but you’ll pay dearly for it.

Pewter Table Spoons: (for eating, serving) G. Gedney Godwin.

Redware and Stoneware: A major HUZZAH! to the folks (all two of them!)
at Westmoore Pottery in Seagrove, North Carolina. Owner/potters Mary and
David Farrell make a wide variety of items that are appropriate for the 17th,
18th, and early 19th centuries (be sure to specify which you need when ordering).
They do excellent work. Reasonable prices, too.

Two other good sources are Old Sturbridge Village and Genesee Country Village
and Museum. I have an assortment of pieces from all of these.

I strongly believe that an historic cook should have a bowl from one vendor,
a pitcher from another, a storage crock from a third, and so on. No household
of earlier centuries would have had a matched set of wares, so mix ‘n match
your pieces.

Utensils, cooking: get your long-handled iron spoon, spatula, and skimmer
from G. Gedney Godwin; purchase your cooking fork and ladle from James
Townsend and Son, Inc.

Wooden bowls, small: $12 each @ Avalon Forge www.avalonforge.com.
You’ll need to order and pay via PayPal or snail mail. I have about six
of these bowls, and they are simply wonderful. I cannot attest
at this time, however, to their other items.

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A note about eBay: I have purchased many items, both actual antiques
and reproductions, from assorted vendors on eBay. It’s absolutely amazing
what can be found. I’ve acquired cutting boards, cast iron skillets, sugar nippers,
waffle irons, posnets, a marvelous gridiron, mortar & pestles, large & small graters,
copper wash basins, dough scrapers, wood flour sieves, and more. Yes, I’ve also
bought a few duds (rust covered or painted cast iron kettle, anyone?). It pays
to know what is correct and acceptable, to do your research, and to ask lots
and LOTS of questions in advance.

In addition, I’ve picked up some great items at local thrift, vintage, and antique
shops. And of course, things like wooden spoons can be picked up cheaply at
the local Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and marble mortar & pestles at Sur La Table.

For any of the above, when in doubt, seek out another local hearth cook and
ask her (or his) advice. Or contact a local historic museum. Barring any of that,
you can always contact yours truly at historiccookery@gmail.com.

***More to come***