Feeding the War Machine: Soft Bread for Sheridan’s Army 1864

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Date: April 15, 2016
Contact: Melinda Day, 304-535-6063

 On Saturday May 7th, 2016, from 11-4pm, visitors are invited to register to attend a 5 hour workshop to learn to make and bake 19th century varieties of bread.  Bread, called the “staff of Life”, was made by both civilian and military bakers as part of the U.S. Quartermaster operation in the former United States Armory.  During the Civil War, approximately 5,000 loaves of bread were made each day baked in the town’s military brick ovens.  Leaven soft bread, versus a soldier’s hard tack that looks like a large cracker or biscuit, was a much welcomed addition to soldier’s rations. 

Participants will learn how to cultivate and grow bread yeast, make quick bread and hard tack, while learning to use the beehive oven. This workshop is limited to 10 participants per class.  Pre-registration closes on April 30th, 2016.  A workshop fee of $50.00 per person (Minimum age to participate is 18 years old) Includes bread baking ingredients and instruction by park staff plus techniques for baking in a beehive oven. Visit the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park website for information about registering for this workshop or call 304-535-1523.



Last updated: April 15, 2016

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Park Service
PO Box 65

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Phone:

304 535-6029

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