In addition to the Library's very popular general cookbook collection, did you know the Champaign County Historical Archives has a collection of nearly 200 local cookbooks compiled by area organizations, schools, libraries, churches, and various societies? In this month’s blog, let’s take a look at a handful of community cookbooks from the collection and highlight a recipe from each.
Champaign County Sesquicentennial Recipes, 1833-1983
To commemorate Champaign County’s 150th anniversary in 1983, Charlotte Nesmith Williamson led the compilation of this unique cookbook, which incorporates stories of local history.
The book is broken up into sections for Champaign County communities. Each community’s section features stories from the community’s history and recipes that relate. The Champaign section has a short story titled “Julia Burnham and a Hospital for All People.” The story briefly describes Julia’s efforts to help the people of Champaign County, including the opening of one of the largest medical facilities in Champaign County history, Julia F. Burnham City Hospital. Following the story, the cookbook includes a recipe for “Pineapple Bars” from Barbara Harris Burnham Dobbins, Julia’s granddaughter. The Urbana section features several recipes from the 1857 journal of T.R. Webber, former Clerk of the Circuit Court, Clerk of the County Court, Master in Chancery for 40 years, and Champaign County’s first postmaster. Some journal recipes include potato rolls, “Mary Webber’s chicken pie,” and elderberry wine.
When flipping to the section featuring recipes from Homer, the cookbook includes a story about Homer Park. According to the cookbook, one notable refreshment often served at the park was known as “Homer Park Cake.” Served in large sheets, bakers of Homer Park Cake used the recipe below to cook this sweet treat tied to a piece of Champaign County history.
“Homer Park Cake” recipe, Champaign County Sesquicentennial Recipes, 1833-1983, p. 60.
Grade A+ Recipes from Wiley Elementary PTA
Published in 2005, this cookbook includes recipes from community members tied to Wiley Elementary School in Urbana. Recipes were submitted by members of the PTA, school families, staff, and others affiliated with the school. In addition to dozens of recipes, the cookbook includes a short history of the school, which opened in the 1950s, a roster of PTA members, and a short poem by Dorothy Law Nolte titled “Children Learn What They Live.”
This recipe for “Goobies,” submitted by Dianne Pittman, is listed in the “Appetizers & Beverages” section of the cookbook.
“Goobies” recipe, Grade A+ Recipes from Wiley Elementary PTA, p. 5.
Champaign-Urbana Women’s Bowling Association Cookbook
In celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary, the Champaign-Urbana Women’s Bowling Association (CUWBA) published a cookbook in 1988. Not only does the book include more than 250 pages of recipes submitted by members, it also includes a roster of CUWBA members as well as photos of local bowling alleys, including Arrowhead Lanes in Champaign, Old Orchard Lanes in Savoy, Country Tyme Lanes in Rantoul, Golden Eagle Lanes on Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, King Pin Lanes in Homer, and more.
The cookbook also lists the association's Board of Directors, and Sue M. Hale is listed as President at the time of publication. Below is one of many recipes Sue submitted for the cookbook, a recipe for “Teta’s Tetrazzini.”
“Teta’s Tetrazinni,” Champaign-Urbana Women’s Bowling Association Cookbook, 50 Years, 1933-1983, p. 101.
Whether you’re planning to cook for friends and family this holiday season or simply want to explore some recipes from the past, dig into more titles in our community cookbook collection soon. To learn more about these fantastic cookbooks with local flavor, click this link to search cookbooks in the collection, explore the collection yourself by visiting the Archives in person, or reach out to us by calling (217) 367-4025 or email us at archives@urbanafree.org.
Lastly, do you have a local cookbook that you think should be added to the Archives’ collection? We are always trying to diversify our collections to reflect what is happening in Champaign County and would love to expand our community cookbook collection! Use the contact information above to discuss possibly adding a community cookbook to the Archives’ collection!
-Pat Cain
Archives Manager