Why do we treasure them?
Questers is an international non-profit organization focused on studying, preserving and conserving historical landmarks, antiques and artifacts. Their mission is to “quest”/study or collect knowledge of history and antiques.
Here at Moland House, we are gifted with the Moland House Questers who are socially minded, caring volunteers committed to assisting us with their time, talents and finances.
This April a matching grant from the Moland House Questers totalling $1,400.00 purchased 5 items toward enhancing Susan McLellan Plaisted’s 2nd Sunday Colonial Hearth Cooking demonstrations.
The five Grant items are:
- Tin Baker/Reflector Oven – a portable 3-sided metal box with an interior shelf designed to cook food in front of an open hearth. The design captures heat and reflects it onto the food.
- A Redware pitcher used to hold a multitude of liquids. Redware was inexpensive, locally available and highly functional in colonial America.
- Copper, tin lined Kettle with lid – The tin lining provided a safe barrier against copper poisoning. It was used in slow cooking with the lid trapping steam.
- Long handled Skillet – used with hearth cooking to keep the cook safe from open flames.
- Antique bronze tripod Posnet cook pot – a specialized saucepan used to warm or simmer sauces, porridge or stew. The 3 splayed legs maintained stability in uneven ashes. Bronze offered high heat conductivity. Also with a long handle which kept the cook’s hands and face away from heat and flame.
We are very grateful to the Moland House Questers for their generous gifts which allow us to continue accurately interpreting cooking techniques in our 18th c. kitchen. Bon Appétit!
Christine Mifsud, Curator
April 2026