History of American Pies: and Illinois is Well Represented!

Pies are as American as pizza is American: we took a great idea, adapted it to our needs and ran with it. Our ancestors used what they had available locally and made the most from it. You might be thinking that pies are just for dessert, but for our American ancestors, they were often considered survival food. Sometimes, they ate pie for breakfast, lunch and dinner for months at a time.

Catherine Lambrecht, who achieved Grand Champion and Best of Show at the Lake County Fair for apple pie, will present the history of pies in America and our state. Illinois’ contribution to our country’s pie culture includes the following:

• Pumpkin Pie is Illinois’ State Pie, with over 90 percent of canned pumpkin grown in Illinois
• the pecan pie
• Did you know Johnny Appleseed roamed our state? Apples originating in Kazakhstan are an introduced crop everywhere in the Americas.

Lambrecht will share a story from the Family Heirloom Recipe Contest at the Illinois State Fair of love, family, a special pie, and a gift of immeasurable value.

This event is Free and Open to the public. For more information, please contact Hannah Miller at hannahm@carlinvillelibrary.org.

CARLINVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY COVID-19 POLICY

We offer a hand sanitizer station at the entrance to our library, and we have masks available for free by request. We ask that patrons use common sense and not visit the library when they are feeling sick so as not to spread sickness to others who may not be as healthy. Masks are always recommended when patrons know they will be in proximity to others (such as at a library program).

Learn more about Catherine Lambrecht, this program, and how to book it.