Sampling the past,
one tasty dish at a time!
Season 2 Episodes
Episode 2.01: Revisiting Whitesbog and America’s Obsession with Cranberries
A Season 5 episode of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos and Staff Historian Anthony Bernard to Historic Whitesbog Village in Browns Mills, New Jersey, the former home of agricultural specialist Elizabeth Coleman White.
Food and Culture Historian Dr. Libby H. O'Connell uncovers recipes for us utilizing cranberries that represent different eras in American history, from early Native populations to Victorian era show stoppers, and even modern dishes that celebrate this indigenous fruit—prepared for us here by Chef Melissa Fairchild Clark.
Vegetarian Pemmican
Stuffed Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Tart
Episode 2.02: Revisiting Poricy Park and Colonial Winter Recipes
A Season 5 episode of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos to Poricy Park’s Murray Farmhouse in Middletown, New Jersey, and a discussion of colonial era life during the harsh winter months during our country’s earliest days.
Food and Culture Historian Dr. Libby H. O'Connell recreates popular recipes from the day—taking into consideration ingredients available after the prime growing months—prepared for us here by Chef Kelli Solomon.
Chicken Pudding
Turkey Pie
Black Pepper Cake
Episode 2.03: Revisiting Suffrage
A Season 4 episode of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos and Staff Historian Anthony Bernard to the former home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton in Tenafly, New Jersey, for a discussion of efforts in our area on behalf of Women’s Suffrage.
Food and Culture Historian Dr. Libby H. O'Connell reveals that multiple cookbooks were produced and sold on behalf of the Suffrage effort, and selects some of her favorite dishes from the late 19th and early 20th century, recipes submitted by names we’re sure you’ll recognize—prepared for us here by Chef Leslie Williams Ellis.
New Jersey Indian Pudding
Carrie Chapman Catt’s Pain d’Oeuf
Susan B. Anthony’s Sponge Cake
Episode 2.04: Revisiting Newark’s Ballantine Mansion and the family’s Christmas Table
A Season 3 episode of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos to The Newark Museum’s Ballantine House in Newark, New Jersey, the former home of John Ballantine. Our investigation revealed the different cultural groups that influenced our modern holiday celebrations, and how the family would entertain at open houses over the holidays.
Food and Culture Historian Dr. Libby H. O'Connell recreates recipes for us that reflect popular dishes of the time—prepared for us here by Chef Melissa Fairchild Clark.
Popovers
Kraut Strudel
Appelflappen
Episode 2.05: Revisiting the Ice Trade and how it changed American Cuisine
A Season 5 episode of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos to The Ice House (now an art museum) in Garrison, New York, for a discussion of the many significant advances brought about by the early Ice Trade—especially evident in changes to American cuisine.
Food and Culture Historian Dr. Libby H. O'Connell uncovers recipes made possible by the advent of refrigerated railroad cars—able to transport fresh ingredients across the region and country—as well home refrigeration via the icebox—prepared for us here by Chef Leslie Williams Ellis.
Asparagus Shortcake
Peach Divinity Icebox Pie
Thomas Jefferson’s Ice Cream
Episode 2.06: Revisiting Oheka Castle and Jazz Age Recipes
A Season 5 episode of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos to the famed Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, for a discussion of whether it may have served as the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby.
Food and Culture Historian Dr. Libby H. O'Connell reveals recipes from luxe dinner party dishes of the time—prepared for us here by Chef Melissa Fairchild Clark.
Egyptian Salad
Scallops with Champagne Cream Sauce
Clementine Cake
Watch Season 1 Episodes On Demand
Episode 1.01: George Washington’s Visit to The Hermitage
A Season 3 episode of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos and Guest Co-Host Christiane Noll to The Hermitage Museum in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, the former home of Theodosia Prevost and Aaron Burr. Our investigation revealed a visit by George Washington and his senior officers from July 10-15, 1778.
Food and Culture Historian Dr. Libby H. O'Connell recreated recipes from popular dishes of the time—taking into consideration the timing of General Washington's visit, as well as his status as a genuine celebrity—prepared for us here by Chef Melissa Fairchild Clark.
Salmagundi
Fried Chicken with Sorrel Sauce
Raspberry Fool
Episode 1.02: Walt Whitman
Our Season 4 investigation brought new insights into Walt Whitman's legacy as a master poet, newspaper columnist, essayist, and progressive humanitarian—but did you know he was also a food connoisseur, touting the mental and physical benefits of diet and exercise (and also a certain coffee cake recipe) in the mid-19th century?
Guided by Walt's own writings about the foods he enjoyed most and a handful of menus from his favorite NYC haunts, Dr. Libby H. O'Connell recreates recipes that reflect the region and era, as well as Whitman's unique culinary ethos, prepared by Chef Anthony Murgola.
Cabbage and Parsley Fritters
Braised Pork Chop
Walt Whitman’s Coffee Cake
Episode 1.03: World War I
Season 3 of DRIVE BY HISTORY brought Host Ken Magos to NJ's Liberty State Park for a discussion with author Ron Semple about many of our region's connections to the WWI war effort, but we failed to mention how regular Americans were asked to sacrifice at mealtime during these lean years.
Dr. Libby H. O'Connell has uncovered some tasty US Food Administration recipes distributed at the time, featuring themed headlines such as "Observe 2 wheatless days a week" and "Eat no meat on Tuesday" in an effort to engage the public in food-saving victory meals, prepared for us here by Chef Melissa Fairchild Clark.
Cheese Sausage with Cucumber Garnish
Tomato and Bean Stew
WWI Cake
Episode 1.04: Joseph Bonaparte’s Point Breeze
Season 3 brought Host Ken Magos to Bordentown, NJ, to the site where Joseph Bonaparte's estate Point Breeze once stood. A tour of the grounds with Anthropologist and Historian Dr. Richard Veit, along with an inspection of relics recovered from the site, revealed a lifestyle truly fit for a King.
Dr. Libby H. O'Connell recreates recipes befitting both Bonaparte's station and his penchant for entertaining many of the region's most sophisticated minds—and palates—with ingredients and flavors designed to impress, prepared by Chef Anthony Murgola.
Fresh Green Pea and Mint Soup
Trout Almondine
Chocolate Almond Macaroons
Episode 1.05: The Leni Lenape Rock House
A Season 4 visit to the Parsippany Rock House, a Native American meeting place, revealed the thriving Leni Lenape community that populated our region for centuries prior to the arrival of the first European settlers.
Starting with recipes shared by Delaware Indian Tribal Archivist Anita Mathis and author Tara Parker-Pope, Dr. Libby H. O'Connell helps us decipher the agricultural and culinary legacy of the "3 Sisters" dietary staples (corn, squash, beans), prepared by Chef Melissa Fairchild Clark.
Grape Dumplings
3 Sisters Squash Succotash
Acorn Squash Brûlée with Blackberries