Victorian Sweets Seminar

Victorian Sweets: Exoticism & Agrarianism in Local Confectionery
Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
November 21 / December 5 / December 17
5:30pm – 7:30pm lecture

Using 19th-century advertisements, photos, packaging, and broadsides from the Library Company of Philadelphia’s rich collections, experts from The Franklin Fountain & Shane Confectionery will explore the written & visual culture of the 19th-century confectionery trades.

The first session, on Nov. 21st, will reflect on 18th and 19th-century ice cream culture, such as “pleasure gardens,” local cream, and exotic flavors offered right here in Philadelphia. The first session will be followed by a dessert reception catered by The Franklin Fountain.

In the second session, on Dec. 5th, participants will examine a range of 19th-century chocolate recipes and advertisements made for urban consumers that tout far-flung origins while trumpeting pastoral manufacturing.

The final session, on Dec. 17th, will look at the inherent tensions expressed in local confectionery and the global sugar trade.