Share: 

Enjoying a sweet treat with a sprinkle of history

Marcos Salaverria, LHS director of education, offers samples of the drinkable chocolate.
Deny Howeth
February 18, 2017
Denise Bridgens and Paul Collins in historical garb pause in front of the Doctor’s Office in the Lewes Historical Campus on Shipcarpenter Street in Lewes.
Paul Collins demonstrates how the cocoa beans would have been processed in the colonial era.
A large crowd circulated all day during the historic chocolate making demonstration.
Ken Walma holds a mortar full of cocoa ready for grinding with spices.
Wendell Rittenhouse demonstrates how the chocolate would have been added to water or milk to make the drinkable chocolate.
Wendell Rittenhouse presents a cone of sugar, while Ina Apolito prepares to heat the chocolate on a stone.
Ina Apolito grinds the chocolate with spices on a heated stone. Teaching other aspects of cocoa use are (l-r) Ken Walma, Paul Collins, Wendall Rittenhouse, Apolito and Marcos Salaverria.
Spices that were typically added to the cocoa to make a tasty beverage.
Bonnie Taylor, left, and Denise Bridgens provided samples of the chocolate drink, and discuss how different status groups would have enjoyed the beverage.
Nancy Braybrook-Walma holds her station at the door in an aristocratic outfit.
Interpreter B.J. Young, right, explains the purposes of the various styles of cocoa to (l-r) Drew, Andrew and Alaine Grunow.
Marcos Salaverria, center, is flanked by volunteer interpreters Bonnie Taylor and Denise Bridgens.
Denise Bridgens, dressed as a middle class colonial, shows a pocket that would have been worn inside a skirt.
Ina Apolito strolls on the historical grounds.
The Antiques & Collectables sale was scaled back after Carol Orr retired from the committee, but the historical society is keeping the flame alive and will, at times offer items for sale through out the year.
Marcos Salaverria, director of education, is at the door to welcome visitors in to the one room school house.

The Lewes Historical Society opened the Midway School doors to the public for a taste of historical-style drinkable chocolate Feb. 11 at the Lewes Campus. Valentine’s Weekend Chocolate Demonstration and Antiques & Collectables sale was in full swing the weekend before Valentine’s Day. Interpreters were in their period garb to explain how chocolate arrived in America during the colonial period.

Guests learned how chocolate would have made its way to Lewes, and how the cocoa beans would be pulverized then heated and spiced before being lightly sweetened to create a drink enjoyed by colonials. American Heritage Chocolate products were available for purchase along with recipes for various sweet treats. In addition, featured for sale was a small selection of glasses, dishware and jewelry.

For more information go to www.historiclewes.org or call 302-645-7670

Most Popular

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter

Most Popular