Preservation

The word preserve has several meanings:  "To keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction...to keep alive, intact, or free from decay... to keep or save from decomposition..to can, pickle or similarly prepare for future use ...

The Library has all of these meanings covered! We are offering a program on Wednesday, August 6, that will teach you the latest about canning and food preservation techniques. http://calendar.icpl.org/view.php?did=30856  If you can't make the program we have many books that share a wide variety of recipes and instructions for preserving food.  You fill find these materials on the second floor, ask if you need help.

As to non-food preservation we are protecting and sharing photographs and documents about Johnson County history through our Digital History Project.  One of the newest additions to the Project is a small cookbook collection, one of which is The Iowa City Cook Book, 1898: A collection of well tested recipes contributed by the Ladies of Iowa City and Vicinity.   http://history.icpl.org/items/browse?collection=9

The cook book is a fascinating look at culture and food in 1898 Iowa City.  Among the chapters you will find Pickles and Fruits & Jellies.  It might be fun to preserve something from your garden or the farmers' market that people in Iowa City were standing over steaming kettles on wood burning (gas?) stoves preserving over 100 years ago.  Chow-Chow anyone?

I enjoyed reading the recipes in the cook book, but I also enjoyed reading the advertisements (there is an alphabetical list of advertisers in the back).  One reads:  MESSNER BROS: Dealers in Fresh and Salt Meat, Fish, Game, and Poultry. Cor Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street. Phone 124, another J.J. CERNY:  Dealer in Harness, Saddles, Collars, Robes, Whips, Nets, etc. Repairing on short notice and on reasonable terms, 27 Washington Street.  You can also check out The Wide Awake Department Store or the Iowa City Roller Mills adds.

Preserving food or preserving history --the Iowa City Public Library has it covered!

Stop ! Wait a Moment !

D. L. Houser wishes to show you

through his extensive coal yards and

sheds. These are filled with Anthracite,

Virginia Splint, Hocking, Illinois,

and Iowa coals . A new wood yard just

started there should also receive your

attention.The purchase of corn will be

continued as in the past, at the coal

,

office of D. L. HOUSER,

Corner Washington and Van Buren Streets,

IOWA CITY, IOWA.