The Rice County Historical Society/Coronado Quivira Museum in Lyons will host “Harvest Homes Potluck,” a presentation by Roy Bird at 7 p.m. on March 28, at the Museum, 105 West Lyon in Lyons. Members of the community are invited to attend the free lecture. The program is made possible by the Kansas Humanities Council.
Harvest has always been an important element of Kansas culture. This program will explore the food heritage of one of the most important seasons in farm family life: feeding the harvest crews. Mealtime traditions have both remained as they were—women busy preparing large meals for men and women in the fields—and have adapted thanks to conveniences such as pizza take-out.
Roy Bird is a retired librarian from the State Library of Kansas and former director of the Kansas Center for the Book. He is the author or coauthor of 17 books, mostly about Kansas and the American West.
“My grandmother once told me that the women were not sitting and doing nothing while men were in the harvest fields,” says Bird. “Since then I’ve found that Kansas has had different cultures, traditions, and cuisines feeding harvesters, and that farm women were partners bringing in crops.”
“Harvest Homes Potluck” is part of the Kansas Humanities Council’s Humanities Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and discussions that examine our shared human experience—our innovations, culture, heritage, and conflicts.
The Kansas Humanities Council conducts and supports community-based programs, serves as a financial resource through an active grant-making program, and encourages Kansans to engage in the civic and cultural life of their communities.  For more information about KHC programs contact the Kansas Humanities Council at 785-357-0359 or visit online at www.kansashumanities.org.
Before the lecture, a potluck sampling will be held at 6:15 p.m. at the Museum. If you are interested in bringing and sharing your crock pot and casserole dishes with your family and friends, contact the Coronado Quivira Museum at 620-257-3941.