This October, Mill City Museum is excited to bring guests interactive opportunities to witness the stories behind many foods that have shaped Minnesota's history and culture. Learn about the rise of convenience foods, see a pie baking demonstration, celebrate the harvest and see the difference between baking from scratch versus a mix.

Baking Memories: The Rise of Convenience Foods
Date: Saturday, Oct. 11
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MNHS members.

The postwar era of the late 1940s and 1950s ushered in an American economic boom with effects still seen today. As the American middle class grew rapidly, so too did the kitchen convenience industry that staffed their homes. Yet many of the technologies that made this possible were actually developed by the food industry during World War II. Did housewives want these easy-to-use products and appliances, or were food companies creating a market by exaggerating the drudgery of ubiquitous home cooking? By exploring the stories behind cake mix, this demonstration will answer that question. Guests will be able to experience firsthand the dramatic changes in cooking habits during this era and the impacts those innovations have on our lives today. Visitors will learn about food history, sample cakes from both scratch and mix and receive a complimentary copy of a recipe.

Pie Making Demo with Beth Dooley
Date: Saturday, Oct. 11
Time: Noon
Cost: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MNHS members.

Join seasoned cook and food writer Beth Dooley as she provides guests with a pie-baking demonstration in the Baking Lab in conjunction with the Mill City Farmers Market's "Family Kitchen Day and Apple Festival."

Mill City Harvest Family Day
Date: Saturday, Oct. 25
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Cost: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MNHS members.

Mill City Museum and members of the Oliver H. Kelley Grange are teaming up to bring guests a special series of family programs during 19th century harvests. Here, families can learn together about the Grange while enjoying hands-on activities. Participants can make seed art with Grange members, take part in a harvest folk dancing demonstration, help Grange members thresh grain just like farmers did in the 1860s and see a "Science of Butter" demonstrations in the Baking Lab. On hand will be History player Mary Dodge Woodward to share with guests the exclusive story of her life and harvest time on a bonanza farm. Guests will even be treated to fresh bread in the baking lab! Early comers will enjoy gourd painting, music and a variety of harvest-related pastimes at the Mill City Farmers Market.

Baking Memories: Scratch vs. Mix Brownies
Date: Sunday, Oct. 26
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MNHS members.

At this unique program, guests can see how history is revealed within food in the Baking Lab. Museum staff demonstrate by making brownies from scratch and making brownies from a mix. Compare and contrast between the two forms while learning about the history of the development of baking mixes. Visitors will have a sweet opportunity to taste the results and vote on their favorites and afterwards participants can learn home baking tips and receive a complimentary copy of the recipe.

About Mill City Museum:

Built within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a National Historic Landmark, the award-winning Mill City Museum chronicles the flour milling industry that fueled the growth of Minneapolis. The story comes to life through the eight-story Flour Tower, Water Lab, Baking Lab and other hands-on exhibits.

The museum is located at 704 S. Second St. in Minneapolis. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The site is also open Mondays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in July and August. For more information, call 612-341-7555 or visit www.millcitymuseum.org.

The Society’s calendar of events is posted online at www.mnhs.org/calendar. The website also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.