March 6, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library has received funding from Humanities Iowa, a private non‐profit, to host a presentation called “Savor Iowa’s Culinary History” by author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby at the Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, on Saturday, March 30, from 1-2 pm.
A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical programs and grants to Iowa's communities.
Maulsby, author of “A Culinary History of Iowa,” will share fascinating tidbits and cooking tips related to more than 150 years of Iowa cuisine and ethnic food traditions from all corners of the state, including Iowa’s classic breaded pork tenderloins, church dinners, the historic Younkers Tea Room, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and more. She explores how Iowa’s cuisine is quintessentially Midwestern, grounded in its rich farming heritage and spiced with diverse ethnic influences.
The program is free and open to the public.
“From Iowa originals like Maid-Rites to kolaches to homemade cinnamon rolls —served with chili, of course — there are many remarkable stories behind Iowa’s tastiest traditions,” said Maulsby. “Pull up a chair, and relish what you missed in history class.”
The Lake City author has been featured on the Iowa PBS series “Iowa Ingredient,” and has written several additional books about Iowa history, including “Iowa Agriculture: A History of Farming, Family and Food,” “Calhoun County,” “Dallas County,” “Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes,” “Madison County” and “The Lincoln Highway in Iowa: A History.”
“I’m passionate about helping people make the farm-to-fork connection and reconnecting with Iowa history,” Maulsby said. “If you have an appetite for adventure, you can’t do better than Iowa when it comes to history, culture, and one-of-kind culinary experiences. ‘A Culinary History of Iowa’ offers a fun way to explore the world without leaving Iowa.”
Signed copies of “A Culinary History of Iowa” and Maulsby’s other books will be available during the event.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program or event should contact the library at (319) 261-7323 or info@crlibrary.org as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the program, meeting, or event.