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The Florissant Valley Historical Society will hold its annual Bouillon Party on Sunday, Jan. 24 at Taille de Noyer. A Bouillon was a winter house party held by early French settlers during the holidays.

The party will be held from 2-4 p.m. and will include bouillon, snacks, desserts and old-time fiddle music. Tours of Taille de Noyer will be available at 2:30 and 3:30 and will include the Costume Room on the third floor. In the early 1960s a resident told about Bouillon parties that took place in the 1890s as remembered by her mother.

“It was a house party held almost any time during the winter, but especially between Christmas and New Year. Hot chicken bouillon was served. It was most often a clear bouillon, skimmed and drained. The meat was served separately. Crackers and home-made bread accompanied the bouillon. Some people served it very simply, others set a fine table. There was a bouillon party that used to last three days. They had food galore all home-made. Folks came in sleighs, in wagons, and on horseback. There was dancing and singing and you ate anytime you felt like it.”

There’s a legend that the secret to a good bouillon is to “steal the chicken,” but of course that is only a story.

Fiddle music will be provided by Steve Hall and his grandmother, Vesta Johnson, both members of the Missouri Fiddlers Association. The fiddle was a popular instrument among the early French. It was easy to carry from house to house and provided lively music for dancing. Because of its continued popularity and its important part in the culture of our state, the fiddle was named the Missouri State Musical Instrument on July 17, 1987.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 839-3626, 837-6102 or 921-5563. Reservations are necessary. Tickets will be held at the door.

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