Hallockville Museum Farm

Food in the Garden 2014: Long Island Sound

In 1812, Long Island Sound, one of the nation’s most historic estuaries, was a crossroads of trade and agriculture. Seeds from around the globe were brought to its shores and ships brought goods produced in the region out to the world. The area was, and continues to be, renowned for the abundance of goods it produces. From its many farms and wineries to its thriving seafood industry, Long Island Sound has become synonymous with the production of fresh, tasty food and drink. But what has been the human impact on the region in the past 200 years? This program will explore the relationship between Long Island Sound and the people that inhabit it, specifically focusing on how the fishing and agricultural industries have transformed the environment. We will explore how the area has changed since the War of 1812, and learn what new and exciting things are taking place to protect Long Island Sound while still producing amazing, regional food and drink.

Panelists: Cindy Lobel, Professor of History at Lehman College and author of Urban Appetites: Food and Culture in Nineteenth-Century New York; Stephanie Villani, co-owner of Blue Moon Fish, and Diana Whitsit of Terry Farms.

National Museum of American History, September 4, 2014