Portland, Maine 04101 United States
Vegetarian meals flavor America’s culinary past, yet the history of this cuisine is little known. Riots in the 1830s, 19th century activist newspapers, and the 1970s back-to-the-land movement are connected to Maine’s vegetarian history. Reaching back 300 years, Maine’s Untold Vegetarian History features stories of Mainers who changed what vegetarians eat and opened access to plant-based foods. The exhibition features historic and contemporary canned and packaged foods, manuscripts, books, menus, maps, and photos, that illustrate vegetarianism’s deep roots in Maine in this first-of-its-kind exhibition that explores this untold story.
Over the centuries and often guided by religious movements, 19th century Maine vegetarians consumed whole wheat bread, butter, potatoes, cooked vegetables, and fruit. Early 20th century food processing innovations introduced packaged peanut butter, breakfast cereals, and plant-based meats. Today, in the early 21st century, tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers, and vegan ice cream flavor local vegetarian meals.
Avery Yale Kamila, Vegan Kitchen columnist for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and vegetarian history researcher, co-curated Maine’s Untold Vegetarian History with John Babin, author and Maine Historical Society Visitor Services Manager. A new companion booklet of Maine vegetarian history essays by Kamila accompanies the exhibition and is on sale in the MHS Museum Store.
Exhibit Details:
Dates: September 10, 2024 to May 17, 2025
Location: King Gallery
Tickets available in advance or at the door
Admission includes all exhibits on view