"Harris County Cooks in the 1940s" Exhibit

The Chipley Historical Center is proud to present its newest exhibit, "Harris County Cooks in the 1940s. Visitors are invited to explore how wartime rationing, innovation, and community resilience shaped the kitchens and food culture of Harris County during the 1940s.

Running through September 2025, this expanded exhibit builds upon the Center’s World War II collection with a new focus on the home front—where kitchens became command centers for creativity, sacrifice, and survival. Artifacts from 15 local families bring to life the personal stories behind the tools and tastes of the era.

The display features ration books, handwritten recipes, home canning tools, early electric appliances, and more. Visitors will learn how residents coped with shortages of sugar, coffee, meat, and canned goods—often relying on Victory Gardens, poultry coops, and home preservation, guided by local home demonstration agents.

“Food tells such a powerful story,” said Cindy Bowden, curator of the Chipley Historical Center. “During the 1940s, Harris County families had to adapt with what they had, and they did it with incredible resilience and ingenuity.”

A special cookbook featuring 1940s-era recipes—many handwritten and passed down for generations—is available for purchase for $20. Proceeds will benefit the Center’s changing exhibition program. Among the featured recipes are those from “Sarah,” the oldest sister in the Jenkins family, who preserved her culinary traditions in writing for relatives including Marva Copeland and Whitney Ligon. Four of Sarah’s brothers served in the military, three during World War II.

Another contributor, Mary Ruth Mullins, has loaned heirloom China and cooking pots used by two of her family members during the war, creating a generational bridge that enriches the exhibit’s authenticity.

“We’re so grateful to the Harris County families who have shared their treasured items,” Bowden added. “Every recipe and every kitchen tool tells a piece of our community’s story.”

While there are no interactive components, the Center plans to host a tea party later in the summer. Details will be announced on the Center’s website and social media.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own family wartime recipes and food-related stories to be considered for future displays. Submissions can be made at the Center during the exhibition or online at chipleyhistoriccenter.org.

The Chipley Historical Center is located at 146 McDougald Ave, Pine Mountain, GA 31822, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more, call (706) 663-4044 or email aW5mbyB8IGNoaXBsZXloaXN0b3JpY2NlbnRlciAhIG9yZw==.

About the Chipley Historical Center
Established in 1985, the Chipley Historical Center of Pine Mountain is a dedicated institution committed to the collection and preservation of historical documents, photographs, and the rich heritage of the local area. Its mission is to become the premier genealogy and history center in West Central Georgia. Housed within the original City Hall, a structure dating back to the early 1900s on McDougald Avenue, the center has been painstakingly restored, earning it a place on the National Register of Historical Places. The center welcomes contributions of historical significance, including old letters, photographs, land grants, deeds, diaries, newspapers, and more, with a focus on permanent preservation. The restoration of the old City Hall was made possible through the generous support of the community and various organizations. Ongoing support for the center's projects is garnered through direct donations, membership dues, and volunteer assistance. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. (Please check with the Center for holiday hours of operation).

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