The fifth annual Nauvoo French Icarian Heritage Days celebration, sponsored by the Nauvoo Historical Society, was held at Baxter’s Vineyards and Winery on Saturday evening, June 20.
The 28 persons attending enjoyed French cuisine with a choice of either Coq au vin or ratatouille, catered by Fireside Barbecue of Nauvoo.
Coq au vin is a classic French dish of chicken braised in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and garlic, resulting in a rich, flavorful stew. Ratatouille is a traditional French vegetable stew from the Provence region. Thus, the meal celebrated the French heritage brought to Nauvoo by the Icarians– a non-sectarian utopian colony founded on Etienne Cabet’s ideal social organization described in his novel Voyage en Icarie. The Icarians made significant contributions to local history from about 1849 to 1857 and many of their descendants remained in the Nauvoo area after the colony disbanded.
The program featured Bill Furry, a representative of the Illinois State Historical Society. He recounted the origins of some of the utopian socialist communities, beginning with Sir Thomas More’s book, Utopia, which lent its name to the movements that sought peace, brotherhood and equality for all. The various Christian socialist communities, many in Illinois and throughout the United States, were established because the followers believed it was the right and moral way to live. Furry urged those present make Nauvoo’s Icarian history more well-known since it is a significant part of the city’s history.
The Nauvoo Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of the Nauvoo community. Rita Souther, President of the Nauvoo Historical Society, told the members about some of the physical upgrades needed at the Weld House Museum, where many Icarian artifacts are preserved, such as a new ramp for an accessible entrance and a secure basement door.
The Nauvoo Historical Society’s next public meeting will be in August at the Rheinberger House Museum in the Nauvoo State Park, where they will hear about blacksmithing. The Society will also sponsor two upcoming German Heritage Festivals: Oktoberfest in October and the German Christmas Market in December.
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Dining and Cooking