Curator-Led Tour: Cooking Up Change

Lia and William Poorvu Gallery, Schlesinger Library
3 James St.
Cambridge
Thu., May 14, 2026, 12 – 1 p.m.



Join curator Erin LaBove for a guided tour of “Cooking Up Change,” an exhibition drawn from the Schlesinger Library’s extensive collection of more than 4,300 community cookbooks dating from the 19th century to today. The exhibition explores how women’s groups used cookbooks to raise funds for religious, educational, and civic causes while preserving the social and cultural histories of their communities. Featuring cookbooks from diverse geographic regions and racial and ethnic backgrounds, “Cooking Up Change” highlights the intersection of foodways and community advocacy. Archival materials reveal the production and marketing of these grassroots publications, while handmade, annotated, and well-worn volumes reflect their everyday use and personal significance. Through recipes and shared stories, the exhibition celebrates the enduring role of cooking in women’s community building and collective care.

Gazette Classification: Art/Design, Diversity and Inclusion, Exhibitions
Organization/Sponsor: Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Cost: Free
Contact Info: [email protected]
More info: www.radcliffe.harvard.edu…