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Lois Kelley Papers

The age-old idea of a feast creating community is central to recent acquisition

In 2019, The Henry Ford acquired the Lois Kelley Papers. Lois, her husband, Robert Kelley, and their two children lived on a farm in Rockville, and later in Andover, both in Connecticut. Lois’ letters to her parents cover more than 50 years, from 1948-2001. Her writing speaks volumes about how individuals can come together around food.

In one vignette, grass-fed beef, seared on a restored fireplace in the Kelley home, helped forge a bond with Connecticut preservationist Frederick Palmer and collector Mary Dana Wells. The relationship began in early 1953 when Palmer and Kelley looked at the Daggett farmhouse together (yes, the very same structure that is in Greenfield Village today).

The Kelleys invited Palmer and Wells to supper. Lois recounted “… I made sweet bread, Joe Froggers [4-inch molasses cookies], and tried to finish some curtains … We had Mr. Palmer and Mrs. [Wells] (of the Sturbridge Village [Wellses] — she bought an OLD house here in Andover, Mr. Palmer is moving it to Union and rebuilding it ...) for a steak dinner.”

The Kelleys’ family, farm and community centered on their 1747 house. By December 1953, they had opened up the main fireplace. “We have worked out a nice system for broiling on the fireplace … Sunday we did one sirloin + one porterhouse steak — and oh my! ... It was so good that we immediately got busy and arranged a party. It started out to be just Jack + Mabel Hetzel. Then we got bold and asked Mrs. Wells. When she sounded tickled over the prospect, we went one step further and invited Mr. Palmer. The resulting party was really something — a whole porterhouse steak apiece ... “

Wells gave the Kelleys “an old gridiron — beautiful — as a housewarming gift.” Lois’ daughter Daisy Kelley has placed that gridiron — a symbol of the hearth as a home for family and community — with Connecticut Landmarks, strengthening ties among Wells, Greenfield Village’s Daggett farmhouse, the Kelleys, and the collections of Connecticut Landmarks and The Henry Ford.

Moveable Feast

Membership in the Carver-Carson Society provides opportunities and exclusive offers

September 2022 marked the inaugural CarverCarson Moveable Feast, a private event hosted in Greenfield Village that honored the accomplishments of the Carver-Carson Society, gave local chefs and growers the opportunity to shine and recognized the winner of the first Carver-Carson Award.

Last year’s honor was given to Alice Waters, who came to The Henry Ford to accept the award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on society in the areas of agriculture, food and the environment.

“Alice Waters is a food visionary and education innovator, and she has turned this into a lifelong pursuit,” said Debra Reid, curator of agriculture and the environment, The Henry Ford. “Her edible classroom has become a model for empowering students, expanding their consciousness of food as a foundation for all aspects of life. And we have launched our own edible education initiative in her honor. We were pleased to be able to present her with the first Carver-Carson Award in recognition of her inspiring work.”

The Moveable Feast gave Carver-Carson Society members, including founding chair Emily Ford, and The Henry Ford trustees, executive leadership team and select staff an opportunity to reflect on accomplishments related to The Henry Ford’s own edible education initiatives, including the restoration of the Detroit Central Market in Greenfield Village. It also put the spotlight on local chefs and growers. As part of the evening, up-andcoming metro Detroit area chefs were paired with growers, farmers and producers to create dishes featuring the grower’s products.

“Along with featuring local, seasonal and, when possible, organic ingredients, each dish created needed to focus on telling a story,” said Christy Sherding, director of donor relations and engagement, The Henry Ford. David McGregor, The Henry Ford’s executive chef, was a featured participant, for example, and highlighted a dish with ingredients straight from Greenfield Village’s Firestone Farm.

All Carver-Carson Society members were invited to attend the one-of-a-kind private event. Attendees and Carver-Carson Society members Robb and Kate Harper called the feast “absolutely electric,” given their opportunity to help pair up chefs such as Daniel Martinez from the Alley Cat restaurant with growers like Vincent Sanna of Give and Grow Mushrooms to serve up some short rib sliders.

For 2023, the Moveable Feast will follow a similar agenda, pairing up chefs and growers to create a curated menu.

How To Join The Carvercarson Society

Become a lifelong member of The Henry Ford’s Carver-Carson Society. With a one-time $25,000 contribution to The Henry Ford, which can be pledged over five years, Carver-Carson Society members receive unlimited access to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village for their financial support of The Henry Ford’s agricultural and foodways initiatives.

To learn more, visit thf.org/carver-carson -society or see Page 76 to link to more information about The Henry Ford’s other donor societies.

BECOME A CARVER-CARSON SOCIETY MEMBER receive an invitation to the 2023 Carver-Carson Moveable Feast

Sept. 18 Greenfield Village