Origins Dinner Series Explores Local ‘Terroir’
Terroir: The conditions under which a food is grown that gives it its unique characteristics. From the French, the literal translation to English is usually “soil” or “land,” and most often used in association with wine grapes. However, “terroir” deserves reflection in a broader sense and consideration for how soil and the history of a place intertwine to give area food its own unique flavor.
Beautiful Hanley Farm
The Southern Oregon Historical Society is presenting a summer dinner series designed to explore this question. “Origins: A Discovery of Place” is a series of four dinners presented at Hanley Farm, designed to create a deeper understanding of the place in which we live. Your dinner guides will include a chef, a farmer, a museum curator, and an historian, all lending their expertise to an aspect of the evening.
Chef Kristen Lyon will use organic, locally-procured foods to create an elegant, multi-course meal. The Jacksonville CSA will harvest produce from the soil at Hanley Farm to supply the dinners, so that much of the food served will be grown on-site. Museum curator Tina Reuwsaat will select objects from the SOHS collection, based on the theme of the evening, to display prior to the meal. Rounding out the team, noted local historians will give talks during the meal itself, each focusing on a specific Southern Oregon history topic.
The Origins dinners will be arranged to explore important events and people of the Rogue Valley, stepping back further in time with each one. Dates for the upcoming dinners are: June 30th, August 4th, September 1st and September 29th. In addition, there will be a Fundraiser Dinner/Auction for SOHS at Hanley Farm on the evening of Friday July 13th, also featuring dishes prepared by Chef Kristen Lyon using produce grown at the farm.
The first Origins dinner on Saturday, June 30th will be an examination of the history of the State of Jefferson movement, with historian Dr. Jeff LaLande. The dinner will be a five course meal with wine pairings, beginning at 5:30pm with a cocktail hour and artifact viewing. Price per ticket is $55, and a $40 for SOHS members. Non-members wishing to take advantage of the discounted prices throughout the series and at other SOHS events throughout the year may join at the $35 individual level or $50 family level. Seating is limited, so reserve your space early. Reservations can be made either through the SOHS website (www.sohs.org) or by calling 541-773-6536 Ext.1002.
Next Origins Dinner at Hanley Farm is August 4
Next up, the Southern Oregon Historical Society and Jacksonville CSA will offer a dinner event on Saturday, August 4 at 5:30 pm at Hanley Farm. The outdoor dinners, served on the green under the famous walnut trees, feature farm-grown culinary dishes prepared by local Chef Kristen Lyon along with local wines from Valley View Winery. Each of the 4 Origins dinners includes an exploration of a history topic, presented by noted experts, and an exhibition of relevant artifacts from the SOHS collection. Blending history and food, the June 30 topic presented by historian Jeff LaLande, explored the 160 year history of the “State of Jefferson Movement.” This Origins dinner is $55 per person and $40 if you are an SOHS member.
On August 4, the presentation will examine The Bracero Program, delving into the history of migrant farm workers in the 20th Century. The speaker is Alec Lamoreaux of the Northwest Seasonal Worker’s Association. Chef Lyon is planning a menu of Mexican-influenced cuisine, paired with local wine and beer selections.
Much of the food for the dinner is grown on Hanley Farm by the growers of the J’Ville Market and CSA using traditional organic techniques, with meats provided by local farmers and ranchers. Seating is outdoors and limited to 100. Hanley Farm is located between Jacksonville and Central Point at 1053 Hanley Road. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.sohs.org or phone Jean at 541-773-6536 ext. 1002.
Mark your calendars for the third and fourth Origins dinners:
Saturday September 2: History of the Chinese in Jacksonville with speaker/Archeologist, Chelsea Rose of Southern Oregon University featuring Chinese food.
Saturday September 29: Archeology of Native American Settlements with speaker Mark Tveskov of Southern Oregon University featuring a Native American-influenced menu.