ANNAPOLIS, MD. — Middleton Tavern in Annapolis, Maryland, hosted a program exploring colonial-era food culture in 1776, including food displays and commentary on how social class and status were reflected in 18th-century Maryland diets. The program featured insights from food historians and curators.

Social class determined the food consumed by colonists and enslaved individuals in 1776. Dana Connett, community programs coordinator at the nonprofit Historic Annapolis, stated, "When we think about signs of wealth today, we think about cars and handbags or real estate." Connett added, "But in 1776, it was food." Beef was the most desired meat among colonists, and terrapin was a popular food along the Maryland coast that year. Parmesan cheese ice cream was also consumed in 1776.

Joyce White, a local food historian, arranged food displays at the William Paca House, located in Annapolis. William Paca, one of Maryland's signers of the Declaration of Independence and former governor, lived in the house from approximately 1765 to 1780. "They liked to have whimsy at [the] table," White said. She noted that colonial elites would create food sculptures, such as gelatin molded into playing cards or cheese and cream decorated with slivered almonds to resemble a hedgehog. White added, "They liked to astonish their guests in ways that we don't always do."

Rockfish and crab were common in the diets of many early Maryland colonists. Adrian Miller, author of The President's Kitchen Cabinet, described the region's seafood, saying, "There was just like this treasure trove of seafood that was fresh, and it wasn't polluted." Miller said regarding George Washington, "He didn't want to come across as a monarch." While oysters were eaten, they were also used in the construction of houses and roads in colonial Maryland. Chicken was eaten by colonists on special occasions. Meals were typically served on small plates in 1776. James Hemings, an enslaved individual, was trained as a French chef and wrote an inventory of Thomas Jefferson's kitchen utensils at Monticello.

Why It Matters

This program offers a look into the role food played in indicating social standing during the colonial period in Maryland, specifically in 1776. The historical context helps illustrate that dietary habits were not solely based on availability but also on economic status and cultural trends. The William Paca House, which served as a residence for a signer of the Declaration of Independence, provides a specific setting for understanding the culinary practices of the era.