What’s for dinner?

For the Belgian truck farmers who settled in Shawnee at the turn of the last century, it might have been a meal of Hot Pot Stew, Belgian Fries, Potato Buttermilk Soup or Rice Soup and Custard. Strenuous work on the farm required hearty, stick-to-your-ribs fare — which may or may not be considered healthy for more sedentary modern lifestyles.

But in an ongoing effort to preserve the agricultural history of the region, Shawnee Town has added typical recipes and farming photos to shawneetown.org. Click on “history” then “truck farm recipes.”

The museum’s collections also include stunning images, including one of Mary Rieke (left) and her sister Annie as they picked beans in the field circa 1919.