Women have made—and continue to make—significant contributions to central Illinois; unfortunately, many of their past contributions have received little recognition. The Peoria Historical Society is out to change that, however, with the 2005 Salute to Women: “Dishin’ Up History. From mincemeat to moose stew, a look at Peoria’s culinary past!”
This is the second installment of the Salute to Women, which was brought back due to popular demand, according to Judy Devore, collections manager at the Peoria Historical Society. “Our first Salute to Women in 2003 was a great success, and we’re excited to continue bringing history alive with this year’s style show and luncheon. We started the event as a way to remember women who’ve contributed to our community over the past four centuries. The Salute program does exactly what we hoped it would do: it entertains as it celebrates women in Peoria’s history,” she said.
New this year is a focus on food, said Salute to Women Co-Chair Channy Lyons. “This year’s historical fashion show adds a new flavor—not just costumes and characters, but cuisine. Women, throughout every age, have been in charge of food and the kitchen, even if it was only a campfire. At our Salute to Women, we’ll learn more about the history of women in Peoria, about the kinds of food that were popular, and how cooking changed from 1700 to 1970.”
Lyons said Peoria’s women expanded traditional ideas about femininity and a woman’s proper place. “They ran businesses, went to war, studied entomology, healed the sick, served in the city council, started community organizations we enjoy and depend upon today—and raised their children and tended to their homes. These women were reliable and resilient, courageous and generous. They were women we can be very proud of, and they made possible what we do today. The historical women featured in the style show were selected because they were ‘originals.’ Our models are too.”
Those attending the November 5 event will glimpse well-known names from the present as well as the past, Lyons said. “They are extraordinary women, and we’re honored and grateful for their participation: Kim Armstrong, Sharon Atteberry, Cheri Beever, Terry Bibo, Suzette Boulais, Carol Lakota Eastin, Nicki Haschke, Theresa Heidrich, Cyd Henrikson, Lisa Hoerr-Grandstaff, Edwina Jordan, Kristan McKinsey, Gina Morss, Amy Paul, Tori Phelps, Dorothy Sinclair, Pam Schubach, Deborah Totten, Macey Trimble, Barbara Van Auken, Betty Woolsey, and Chris Zack-Edmonds.”
To make the experience a bit more interesting, there are connections between the models and the historical characters they portray, she said. “For example, Pam Schubach, executive director of the YWCA, plays Jessie Page, one of the founders of the Peoria YWCA, and Terry Bibo from the Journal Star plays Sidney Baldwin, who was a newspaper columnist in the 1920s.”
The style show is central to the Salute to Women, which means the Historical Society had to come up with dozens of outfits. “The costumes and accessories are both a challenge and great fun to find,” Lyons said. “Several are being made for the show by Historical Society volunteers; others come from Ann Marie Dunn, who teaches costume history and runs the costume shop at ICC and at Opera Illinois. We also borrowed costumes from Peoria Players and Corn Stock Theatre and from a reproduction costume collector in Bloomington. This year, we have original dresses from Peoria collections. Elizabeth Belcke, a long-time volunteer and supporter of the Historical Society, has lent us the lovely wedding dress of her mother, Margaret Winters, from the 1910s. Kristan McKinsey, vice president at Lakeview Museum, will wear an elegant black 1960s cocktail dress from her own vintage collection. And the Girl Scouts Kickapoo Council is providing uniforms worn in the 1930s.”
Narration will provide audience members with the details of the day’s theme: clothes and food. “As the models walk the runway showing off their costumes, narrator Rebekah Bourland will tell about their lives and the kinds of food they would have enjoyed at a picnic during an archeological dig in Sparland in the late 1870s, or at the Greenhut mansion in 1899 when President McKinley came for dinner, and even at a Girl Scout sleepover at Camp Whip-poor-will in the 1930s,” according to event co-chair Amy Kelly. “We’ll hear about some of the best and worst of Peoria cuisine—from bison and corn meal to foaming mugs of flip, swamp cabbage stew, mock apple pie, Oysters Rockefeller, Tang, Baked Alaska, and French favorites from Julia Child.”
Of course, the luncheon portion of the Salute also ties into the historical theme, Kelly said. “Luncheon guests will enjoy tasting foods based on menus of Peoria’s foremothers—updated for contemporary tastes and diets, of course. At our lunch, guests will enjoy a variety of foods—perhaps an elegant salad popular in the 1920s, tea sandwiches served at post-Civil War balls, Vichyssoise from the 1910s, and then a slice of Jenny Lind cake. You’ll just have to join us for lunch to see what treats we have in store.”
To ensure the meal is as historically accurate as the costumes, more research was required.“We’re finding wonderful dishes from the 1880s Gathered Crumbs cookbook as well as other local recipe sources,” she said. “And we’re learning the history of some food favorites. For example, potato chips were first made in 1853 by a chef in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Coca-Cola originally was sold in the 1880s as a health tonic. The first supermarket chain was started by Safeway in 1926; before that, you depended on your neighborhood grocer.”
In addition, Kelly said there will be a display of antique aprons and table decorations that will remind the audience of days gone by.
Another highlight of the Salute to Women includes the Peoria Historical Society’s presentation of the second Guardian Award, Kelly said. “This is awarded to a woman from the tri-county area who’s made an outstanding contribution to the preservation of local history. We encourage nominations from the public; forms are available at our office. We have a panel of women involved in non-profit organizations who will review the nomination forms and make the selection. At our first Salute two years ago, there was a tie, and Guardian Awards were given to both Gloria LaHood and Alice Roffey.”
Lyons said the best part about her work with the Salute is keeping Peoria women’s stories alive. “And, we’re working with sensational Peoria women of today.”
“This helps to further the mission of the Peoria Historical Society, which to preserve and celebrate Peoria’s story,” Devore added.
The Peoria Historical Society’s Salute to Women takes place November 5 in the ballroom of the Hotel Père Marquette. The historical style show begins at 11 a.m., followed by lunch. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at the Peoria Historical Society office at 674-1921. TPW