Feast of History: A Turn of the Century Millionaire's Summer Picnic

Picnics are always a fun occasion, but I have always found the descriptions of the picnics of the turn of the century to be particulary enjoyable. Right after the Victorian age and before the free and easy times of the Jazz Age, there were ten years at the turn of the century that found America beginning to transform itself from a rural, farm and frontier land to a land of inventors, authors, businessmen, moviemakers, activists and yes, millionaires.

During this time such men as Ford, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Astor and Carnegie grabbed hold of the true American dream and opportunity that was before them, They built vast wealth on oil, railroads and steel. All that great wealth lead to a life of luxury. Elaborate homes, dinners and vacations became the way of life for America’s new money.

But even a millionaire can get tired of the hustle and bustle of running a business and attending dinners and long for a simple meal out of doors. Picnics were a very popular activity in the summer months as the millionaires and their families left the heat of the city for their vacation homes and resorts.

Some of the food of those times may seem odd to us. Who wants a lettuce sandwiches or veal loaf now days? But nothing could beat the joy of a pleasant picnic in the woods or on the shores of a lake. If you would like to try having your own turn of the century inspired picnic, here are some wonderful picnic dishes from those times to try out!