Free Public Event | Sun. Sep. 14, 2025

Everyday Meals in Massachusetts

New England Foodways During the American Revolution

Sunday, September 14 | 2–5 PM

Parker Tavern | Reading, Massachusetts

103 Washington Street | MBTA Reading Station

Step back to the eve of the American Revolution and discover the foods that sustained Massachusetts households, soldiers, and farmers.

Join the 18th Century Cook, Michael Duncan Smith, for an engaging afternoon at the Parker Tavern exploring local foodways in the 1770s. Learn how everyday meals compared with fine dining, what rations soldiers received before the Battle of Bunker Hill, and how families preserved the harvest through the seasons.

Built in 1694, the Parker Tavern is the oldest surviving structure in Reading. Tours of the building and grounds will be available throughout the afternoon, offering visitors the chance to explore this remarkable piece of local history.

The presentation draws on probate records, newspapers, early cookbooks, and personal journals to offer a unique window into the town’s past. Ingredients, kitchen tools, and cooking techniques will also be on display. Stop by and say good-day!

This event is free and open to the public.

Learn more at www.theparkertavern.org or www.18thcenturycook.com

About the Speaker

Michael Duncan Smith is an artist, educator, and culinary historian based in Greater Boston. He is the creator of 18th Century Cook, a digital project with more than 650,000 followers that brings early American recipes and culinary traditions to life. His research focuses on New England foodways in the 18th century and during the American Revolution, drawing from primary sources to illuminate the everyday meals of early America.

Support for this program is provided in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, through its 2025 Creative Individual Grant Program. 

The Parker Tavern circa 1906.