During the winter encampment of 1777 to 1778, General George Washington's soldiers had to make do with firecake‹a mixture of flour and water cooked in outdoor bake ovens at Valley Forge.
Today, visitors have their choice of culinary experiences from demonstrations of firecake baking to lavish meals prepared Colonial-style on an open hearth and demonstrations of the latest products at a culinary expo.
Families can see how 18th- and 19th-century people prepared food at several historic sites in Pennsylvania's Valley Forge area.
At Pottsgrove Manor in Pottstown, learn about the recipes for and production of meals and 18th-century libations as they are prepared in the Colonial kitchen at two events this fall and winter. Every Monday in January through March, observe Colonial-garbed historians preparing foods over an open hearth and then enjoy a four-course meal of Colonial-era foods.
Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville will host a special open-hearth demonstration in October. Cooks will prepare the sweetmeats for the dining table, including sugar plate goblets.
At other Pennsbury Manor events, watch as meat is smoked to preserve it for winter, hear about the Native American influence on English cooking and see how William Penn's servants made beer and pressed cider.
The Mercer Museum in Doylestown invites visitors to learn about General George Washington's favorite recipes.
Through December at Peter Wentz Farmstead in Worcester, learn about meat preparation and preservation in the 18th century and see the newly reconstructed smokehouse.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Elverson will celebrate harvest time at the 19th-century iron plantation with apple butter making, cooking and crafts in September. Throughout the fall, visitors are welcome to pick apples at Hopewell Furnace's orchards for a small fee. The Mennonite Heritage Center sponsors the annual Apple Butter Frolic at Indian Creek Road in Harleysville.
The Mill Grove Audubon Center's apple festivals are held in October and feature family activities such as apple pressing, and making apple butter.
The Valley Forge area is home to several wineries, most of which offer tours and tastings. Chaddsford Winery in Brandywine Valley hosts an Opera Night with wine samples and live opera music.
Lehigh Valley Wine Trail celebrates grape harvest time each September with a weekend full of events at their nine wineries.
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