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Florissant Valley Historical Society’s French Bouillon Party is Jan. 23 at Taille de Noyer
Lorelei Cromer (left) and Sharon Gettemeier cooking bouillon at Taille de Noyer.
The Florissant Valley Historical Society will hold its annual French Bouillon Party at Taille de Noyer on Sunday, Jan. 23, from 2-4 p.m. The party will include bouillon, snacks, desserts, and old-time fiddle music by Steve Hall and his grandmother, Vesta Johnson, both members of the Missouri Fiddlers Association. Tours owill be available at 2:30 and 3:30 and will include the Costume Room on the third floor.
The Bouillon was a winter house party held by early French settlers often during the holidays. The fiddle was a popular instrument among the early French settlers since it was easy to carry from house to house and it provided lively music for dancing. Because of its continued popularity and its important part in the culture of the state, the fiddle was named the Missouri State Musical Instrument on July 17, 1987.
In the early 1960s, a resident related a story her mother told her about Bouillon parties held in the 1890s.
“It was a house party held almost any time through 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 homemade bread accompanied the bouillon. Some people served it very simple, others set a fine table. There was a bouillon party that used to last three days. They had food galore, all homemade. 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 the Taille de Noyer chicken will be purchased from a local grocery store.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased by calling 839-3626 or 409-9478. Reservations are required. Tickets will be held at the door.
