Taste of History brings military, field rations to Amherst

AMHERST — It is said that an army marches on its stomach, and hundreds of reenactors from around the country will give visitors a unique experience of that at the Taste of History event this month. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 20 at Sandstone Village, 763 Milan Ave., Amherst. This is the fourth year for Taste of History, by far the most-popular event hosted by the Amherst Historical Society, said Elizabeth Fought, director of community engagement. The event is a partnership of the Amherst Historical Society, the Military Preservation Group, the Lorain County Visitors Bureau and Amherst Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1662. Last year, about 5,000 people attended and 300 reenactors came to set up field kitchens. This year there will be 13 field kitchens representing historical eras from the Hundred Years War — the French-English conflict in the 14th and 15th centuries — through the French-Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, both world wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars through present times. "The neat thing about this event is it's for history lovers and for food lovers," Fought said. "There will be military field rations from different eras, and they can sample food from different eras up to today. They'll be onsite, cooking food from that specific era, for a donation." Currently soldiers in the National Guard will be on hand with a mobile field kitchen as well, she said. "People can see how history and food impact us even today," she said. For example, fried cheese was served during the Hundred Years War, not just as a popular carnival snack or happy hour appetizer today." There are also kids activities, shooting demonstrations, "home front" and camp follower displays. One display to honor those who served on the home front during World War II, will pay homage to U.S. Automatic, the Amherst manufacturing firm now known as Nordson Corp. During World War II, U.S. Automatic produced parts for tanks, Jeeps, airplanes, ships, trucks, locomotives and Scout cars, munitions and parts for guns and anti-aircraft equipment. Reenactors will present that history, along with samples of a typical lunch workers of that time would have eaten, according to wartime rationing. "It's wonderful that people from around the country are honoring those who were right here in Amherst during World War II," Fought said. "This local company had a huge impact on war production. People think about those who were off fighting, but also during that time you had the people who were working hard to make it possible." The theme for this year, in honor of America's 250th birthday, is the Revolutionary War. The front gate is under "renovation" to look like visitors are entering a Revolutionary War-era fort, she said. "We are building a fort. We are almost finished with a World War I trench, we've been working on that this past week," she said. "We're grateful for our generous sponsors and our generous reenactors who travel, some at great distances, with their personal equipment so this event can be free and people can come regardless of their income," Fought said. "It's Father's Day weekend, and it's just an amazing way for history to come alive. You can touch, smell and see it, and be immersed in it from different eras." The event is free and parking is free but limited. A free shuttle is provided from the Amherst Junior High parking lot at 548 Milan Ave. Contact Rini Jeffers at rinijeffers@gmail.com.