Whitewater Digital Collections

Whitewater, Kansas

The Fruit of Our Lands, the Labor of Our Hands

Food preservation was essential for families in the past; this collection includes images of tools and recipes used by Whitewater area cooks.

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Epp, Melvin
These photographs show a collection of antique canning jars, including two square jars just to the left of the recipe book. The pressure cooker and…
Epp, Melvin
"This manual can sealer was used to seal metal cans of food sent to relatives in Germany after World War II. Care packages with food were a major…
Epp, Melvin
Kitchen equipment like the food mill and beaters were used to macerate and process ingredients.
Epp, Melvin
Miscellaneous canning equipment including an iron spoon and the cabbage shredder used for making sauerkraut.
Epp, Melvin
Butter molds were used to shape mounds of butter for storage as well as for presentation at the table.
Epp, Melvin
There was always a need for hot water during canning, because the homes were not equipped with hot water heaters. My grandmother cooked apple sauce…
Epp, Melvin
Early American crockery used for storing foods. Fermented pickles and sauerkraut would be stored in crocks. Also, lard was stored in crocks, as well…
Aprons were an indispensable accessory in times past; easy to make and easy to launder, they caught most of the inevitable messes during kitchen work.

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  • The Fruit of Our Lands, the Labor of Our Hands