Mashed, Fried, Boiled, Etc. – National Potato Month

September 18, 2024

As a meat and potatoes kinda gal, there are very few preparations of the vegetable known as the humble potato that I won’t eat. Growing up, we wouldn’t classify it as a vegetable because of its high starch content, but the USDA does, so why can’t we? Potatoes also have a notorious Indiana tie thanks to former U.S. Vice-President Dan Quayle, a Hoosier native. He famously misspelled the tuber’s name by insisting the student he was talking with to add the infamous ‘e’ to the end while visiting students in the early 1990s. But I’m not here to bring up gaffes of the past, but to celebrate this important veggie.

For many years the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad sponsored Potato Clubs through the Purdue Agricultural Extension and 4-H. Shown here is the 1926 Potato Club Exhibit, the George Martin Cropp, Shoals, IN, 1933 and Vonn Hays, Bedford, IN, 1937, both boys were Sweepstakes Winners. P0490, IHS (first image cropped)

Potatoes may be more well-known as an Idaho crop, but the above images prove the interest in potato growing in Indiana. Thanks to a collaboration with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the Purdue University Agricultural Extension Service, seed stock was furnished to Potato Club members to see what they could grow and yield to exhibit.

Peeling potatoes: costumed gents, likely performing in a play, ca. 1905, soldiers of Landrum’s Ranch near Mexico Border, 1916, women at the Flanner House cannery, mid-20th century. P0515, IHS, cropped, P0144, IHS (cropped), M0513, IHS (cropped)

Depending on the preparation, you can leave on the nutrient-rich skin or peel them as those pictured above are doing. This task always reminds me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), when the main character’s mother is peeling potatoes while making dinner in preparation to meet her new boyfriend. A large pile of potatoes are seen in the scene and the realization that the WHOLE family has been invited rather than just their nuclear family hits the character hard.

Menus and a cookbook featuring potato preparations, Hotel Bates, 1876, Marnnerchor Cook Book, 1906, Shortridge HS Lunch Menu, 1907. IHS (cropped) [All]

While it is but a humble vegetable, its versatility puts it on millions, if not billions, of tables daily. Please join me in celebrating National Potato Month by enjoying some tasty spuds. I would also like to share one last potato-centric image from our collection, because it’s just too fun (and funny).

Behold the potato sack wearing, potato bearing entry into the 1940 Farmer’s Day Parade at the Indiana State Fair. P0490, IHS (cropped).

For more great blog content about Indiana History and our collections, visit our blog site.

Amy Vedra is the director of reference services. She is currently reading her way through the Great American Reads list.

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