For the month of January the York County Public Library is pleased to partner with the Watermen’s Museum to host their Bay to Belly exhibit at the Tabb Library. The Bay to Belly exhibit tells a delectable story about the Chesapeake Bay's food and culture.
For generations people have been shaped by the Bay’s bounty and have been defining the Bay in return. The Bay to Belly exhibit explores the region’s shared heritage, the "Chesapeake identity," from farm to table or bay to belly. By situating today's challenges alongside the Bay's historic traditions, this exhibit looks at crabs, oysters, and food fishes. Learn about each type of food source, peruse historical panels, listen to oral histories from folks who “work the water,” and search through centuries old recipes to discover a new favorite. Finally, consider your impact on the Chesapeake Bay and how you can play a role in preserving the Chesapeake identity for future generations.
Library Director Kevin Smith stated, “We are always happy to work with other York County institutions and organizations like the Watermen’s Museum to provide programs that inform, encourage, and enlighten.”
The exhibit had its grand opening at the Watermen's Museum in historic Yorktown during December. It opened at York County's Tabb Library on January 7 and is expected to remain there through early February. Afterwards, the traveling exhibit will move to other locations, including Thomas Nelson Community College and Hampton Roads Sanitation District.
The exhibit was produced by the Watermen's Museum and Thomas Nelson Community College with grant support from Virginia Humanities and the Hampton Roads Sanitation District.