In 1777, Newport was occupied by British troops and a blockade prevented trade to the island. A population with a sophisticated palate, used to trade goods from all over the word, was now forced to eat local. What did people eat 240 years ago to survive the harsh winter and war-torn environment?

As part of the Newport Historical Society’s Newport Eats: History Of Food Programming Initiative, The Newport Historical Society will host costumed interpreters for Colonial Food for Thought: A Newport Eats Living History Event. They will share insight on what foods were eaten, when, and why, from tea to pickling, oysters to chocolate, and soldiers’ rations to spices! Try your hand at a colonial-inspired stamping craft. Flour sack towels yours to keep, $5 each.