Hearth Week: Historic Cooking & Modern Connection, A Celebration of Fire, Flavor, and History!!

Hearth Week: Historic Cooking & Modern Connection, A Celebration of Fire, Flavor & History

From Sunday, May 24th through Sunday, May 31st, join us for an immersive week of hearth cooking, living history, and shared meals. Throughout the week, our historic site comes alive with the crackle of wood fires and the aroma of traditional recipes as guests experience a rotating series of hearth-centered events and meals inspired by colonial cooking, traditional German fare, and locally sourced ingredients. This week of programming features hands-on and communal experiences, historic and modern fiery flavours and more! Our activities will bring together neighbors, community and new friends to revive the colorful village life of the industrial village. Some of our events include happy hours, hand tossed pizzas, bread baking, serving true to the Wissahickon dishes, Firefly nights with smores and bubbly brunches and some guests from Indian King Tavern, In Riva, Young American and more! This hearth cooking series is brought together by Historic RittenhouseTown and The Historic Foodways Society of the Delaware Valley.

The Historic Foodways Society of the Delaware Valley (HFSDV) is a not-for-profit group of individuals and institutions dedicated to the promotion and understanding of food and its place in and contributions to history. While traditionally concentrating on 17th Century through 19th Century cooking, the HFSDV has hosted over 30 years, programs throughout the year including visits to historic sites, hands-on-hearth cooking, and food history talks and lectures by noted academics — all of which normally include a tasting of period food. Many of the programs focus on the rich foodways of the Philadelphia region.

Hearth Week Kickoff Community Party: May 24th!

Join us for a lively and flavorful Memorial Day celebration on Sunday, May 24, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for an afternoon of history, hearth cooking, and hands-on colonial experiences—all completely free to attend!

Step back in time as our talented historical demonstrators bring the past to life through traditional foodways and craftsmanship. Watch Kelly Brennan, our Open Hearth Specialist, and Frank Buatti, Culinary Hearth Cook Interpreter, prepare authentic colonial dishes over an open flame, showcasing the techniques and flavors that shaped early American kitchens. Michael Carver, The Colonial Brewer, will demonstrate the art of colonial brewing and share the history behind early American beer-making traditions.

Guests will have the chance to enjoy Flame Forged Food & Drink, featuring Traditional Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup, Caribbean Pepper Pot (Vegetarian), Welsh Griddle Cakes, and colonial brewed beer inspired by 18th-century recipes. These dishes reflect the rich cultural influences that helped shape Philadelphia’s culinary heritage.

Beyond the hearth, visitors can explore our Historic Homestead Tours and learn about the lives of those who once lived and worked on the property. Families and children can enjoy classic Lawn Games, while creative minds can try their hand at the traditional craft of Paper Making.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a food lover, or simply looking for a unique way to spend Memorial Day weekend, this event offers something for everyone. Come celebrate community, culture, and craftsmanship with us!

Drink & Be Merry May 25

Join us for Drink and Be Merry on Monday, May 25 at 12:00 PM for an afternoon of historic flavors, spirited conversation, and hands-on colonial food traditions. This special event invites guests to explore the tastes and techniques of the 18th century through beverages, hearth cooking, and interactive demonstrations.

Featured guest Clarissa Dillon will present “Drink and Be Merry: Spirited and Non-Spirited Beverages of the 18th Century,” offering a fascinating look into the drinks that filled colonial cups—from refreshing everyday beverages to festive spirited libations. Learn how ingredients, customs, and social traditions shaped the way people gathered, celebrated, and dined in early America.

Joining us from Indian King Tavern, guest demonstrator Michele Hughes will bring the hearth to life with traditional food preparation, including bread baking and butter making. Guests will enjoy demonstrations and tastings while discovering the labor, skill, and community behind colonial kitchens and taverns.

This immersive afternoon offers a perfect blend of history and hospitality, allowing visitors to experience food and drink as our ancestors did—fresh from the hearth and shared among friends.

To conclude the day, guests are invited to relax with S’mores & Tours, offering a warm and memorable ending to the event with fireside treats and guided exploration of the historic property.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a culinary explorer, or simply looking for a unique Memorial Day weekend experience, Drink and Be Merry promises an unforgettable afternoon of flavor, fellowship, and fun.

Catfish and Waffles: Talk and Tasting: May 26

Join us Tuesday May 26, at 6:00 p.m. to learn more about the one-time Philadelphia staple, Catfish and Waffles. What would have been the “cheesesteak” of its time, Philadelphia was known as a destination for enjoying a Catfish and Waffle dinner at numerous stops along the Wissahickon Creak including places only steps from Historic RittenhouseTown.

Featured presenter Dan Macey, vice president of the Historic Foodways Society of the Delaware Valley, will enlighten guests on the traditions of Philadelphia tourists and residents alike in the mid-1800s taking day trips to stop at their favorite tavern to enjoy catfish and waffles. We will learn about the ingredients, methods, and cultural heritage behind the meal.

Following the talk, guests will see how the dish was made over the hearth and then taste the dish complete with pepper hash, the Pennsylvania Dutch inspired condiment served along the catfish and waffles.

Homemade Pasta & Sauce: May 27th

Join us on Wednesday, May 27 for Homemade Pasta & Sauce, a hands-on culinary workshop celebrating fresh ingredients, family tradition, and historic foodways. Held during the late afternoon into early supper, this special experience invites guests to learn the art of making homemade pasta and sauce from scratch.

Led by Alex Jones, Hearth Cook Interpreter, this workshop draws from family recipes passed down while growing up on a farm in South Jersey, blending personal tradition with historic cooking practices. Guests will learn how simple ingredients can be transformed into rich, comforting meals using techniques rooted in both family kitchens and early homestead life.

Using homestead-raised products and seasonal ingredients, participants will make fresh pasta by hand and prepare homemade sauce while also learning about the historic plantings at HRT that have long been used in cooking. The workshop will highlight how herbs, vegetables, and garden traditions connect food, history, and sustainability.

Guests will have the opportunity to create their own pasta to take home or choose to have it cooked on-site and enjoy a shared meal at the end of the event as part of the early supper experience.

Whether you are a passionate home cook, a gardening enthusiast, or someone who simply loves good food and good stories, Homemade Pasta & Sauce offers a warm, flavorful, and memorable evening rooted in tradition.

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Tastings and Traditions in the Hearth: May 29th

Join us on Friday, May 29 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for a special evening of historic foodways and culinary tradition with Cooking from the English Household Receipts of the Middle Colonies Cookbook. This unique program invites guests to explore the recipes, techniques, and tastes that shaped kitchens across colonial Pennsylvania and the Middle Colonies.

Featured guest Sarah Farnsworth of Colonial Pennsylvania Farmstead will guide visitors through a fascinating culinary journey using recipes from the English Household Receipts of the Middle Colonies cookbook. These historic “receipts,” or recipes, offer a glimpse into the daily lives of early American households, where cooking was both necessity and craft.

Guests will learn how colonial cooks prepared meals using seasonal ingredients, hearth-based techniques, and practical household knowledge passed down through generations. Sarah will demonstrate traditional methods of preparation while sharing the cultural history behind the dishes, ingredients, and customs that defined dining in the 18th century.

This immersive experience offers more than just cooking, it is a chance to understand how food connected family, community, and survival in early America. From savory staples to everyday household remedies, these recipes tell the story of life in the Middle Colonies through the language of the kitchen.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a home cook, or simply curious about the flavors of the past, Cooking from the English Household Receipts of the Middle Colonies Cookbook promises an engaging and memorable evening of learning, tasting, and tradition.

Colonial Brewer Brewing Class: May 30th

Join us on Saturday, May 30 for Colonial Brewer Brewing Class: Brewing the Colonial Way Workshop, an immersive all-day experience exploring the craft, science, and history of early American brewing. This hands-on program offers guests a deep dive into traditional brewing techniques used during the colonial era, when beer was a daily staple in households across America.

Led by guest Michael Carver, The Colonial Brewer, participants will learn how early brewers worked with simple, locally available ingredients and open-fire methods to create traditional colonial-style beverages. From understanding fermentation and ingredient selection to observing historic brewing practices, this workshop brings the past to life through every step of the process.

Throughout the day, guests will follow the brewing journey from start to finish, gaining insight into how colonial communities produced and enjoyed their daily drinks. Michael will also share historical context on brewing in early America, including its role in social life, trade, and household sustainability.

This is a rare opportunity to experience brewing the colonial way in an authentic, educational setting. Whether you are a history enthusiast, homebrewing hobbyist, or simply curious about early American life, this workshop offers a meaningful and engaging experience.

Join us for a full day of learning, hands-on participation, and historic flavor as we rediscover the traditions that helped shape America’s brewing heritage.

Brick Oven Pizza Night: May 31st

Join us on Sunday, May 31 for a one-of-a-kind Pizza Night cooked in a historic 1753 beehive oven, where old-world cooking meets modern flavor for a memorable afternoon into dinner experience. For $25 per person, guests will enjoy freshly made brick oven pizzas prepared in one of the property’s most unique historic features, a working 18th-century beehive oven.

Special guest In Riva will bring their signature expertise in brick oven fire pizzas to this special event, blending traditional craftsmanship with bold, delicious flavors. Using the intense heat and distinctive cooking style of the historic beehive oven, pizzas will be prepared much like they would have been centuries ago, crispy, smoky, and full of character.

Drinks will be served by Young American Hard Cider & Tasting Room, adding the perfect pairing to this historic dining experience. Guests can enjoy thoughtfully crafted beverages alongside their meal, bringing together local flavor and community collaboration in a truly memorable setting.

Guests will also learn about the history and function of the 1753 beehive oven, an essential part of early American domestic life, where families baked bread, roasted meats, and prepared meals for entire households. This event offers a rare opportunity to see this historic oven in action while enjoying food that celebrates both heritage and hospitality.

From handcrafted dough to fresh toppings and fire-baked perfection, Pizza Night offers a delicious connection between past and present. Whether you are a history lover, a pizza enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique dining experience, this evening promises great food, warm company, and unforgettable flavor.

Looking For a tour of the Historic 1707 Homestead?

Private Tours are available year round, email us at information@rittenhousetown.org to schedule one today!

Regular tour hours are available on Saturdays Memorial Day through Labor Day on Saturday from 12p-3p.
Tours start on the hour and last 45 minutes. Cash and Venmo accepted. $10 per person, Kids under 8 are free.

52 Weeks of Firsts

In 2026, America turns 250, and Philadelphia is throwing the ultimate yearlong celebration. After all, we’ve been first in freedom, first in innovation and first in fun for 250 years.

The Philadelphia Historic District Partners have assembled 52 Weeks of Firsts, from world-changing inventions to beloved traditions, with a new “Saturday First-ival” every week, each one happening in one of more than a dozen neighborhoods across this city. Expect live performances, pop-up experiences, family fun and plenty of Philly flavor.

Plan your trip, grab your crew and be part of the celebration that could only happen here — in the city that was first in everything worth celebrating.

By the way, exactly what is a Philadelphia First?

A Philadelphia First is something that happened here before anywhere else. These Firsts highlight the moments, places and creations that took root in Philadelphia, not individual achievements. From inventions to institutions, they’re the sparks that shaped a city of doers, dreamers and difference-makers. Because in Philly, history doesn’t just live here, it began here.

Historic RittenhouseTown has been picked as the celebration site for week 26, to celebrate the life and accomplishments of William Rittenhouse!

“Long before Wi-Fi and word processors, there was paper and it all started at Rittenhouse Town. Discover the handmade beginnings of America’s paper trail and the mill that made it happen.”

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, the first paper maker in the United States will kick off at Historic RittenhouseTown with a variety of activities for the celebration! Please mark your calendars to celebrate with us!

Check out our awesome on-site vendors!