Learn the history of ‘Mormon muffins’ and more at Stewart Library exhibit
OGDEN, Utah — A new exhibit on display at Weber State University’s Stewart Library is shining a light on the people and events that have shaped Ogden’s foodways.
“More than Mormon Muffins: Food & Culture in Northern Utah” explores the history behind the city’s culinary landscape. The exhibit is free and open to the public, on display at Stewart Library now through the end of the year. 
Sarah Langsdon, head of Special Collections at Stewart Library, created the exhibit as a way to share about the traditions, flavors, and cultures surrounding Ogden’s food.
“I wanted to look at farm to table”, Langsdon said. “How did food move from your neighbor’s farm to your kitchen, and how did a person’s cultural identity shape what they made with those local ingredients?”
Part of the exhibit will also be on display during Ogden’s day-long Heritage Festival at the Union Station, noon to 8 p.m. on May 9. This free celebration includes music, dance, foods, and crafts from the people who make Ogden their home.
During the Heritage Festival, visitors can take home recipes that community members submitted for the event, giving attendees the opportunity to taste Ogden’s history in their own kitchens.
Langsdon said many of the recipes featured in the exhibit tell the story of Ogden’s immigration history. People from China, Italy, Greece, and other countries traveled via railroad to Ogden, bringing their recipes and cooking techniques with them. When met with produce local to Ogden, immigrant families adapted their recipes to use what was available.
“For example, ‘economy eggrolls’ were a way to make a traditional food with ingredients accessible here,” Langsdon said. “They adopted American recipes, too. Learning how to cook funeral potatoes and meatloaf was part of assimilating to a new home.”
The exhibit includes dozens of archived photos and recipes, information about the evolution of Ogden’s foodways, and historical facts about restaurants that have shaped Northern Utah. Visitors can view the display on the first floor of Stewart Library, open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lucy McDonough, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu