Libraries Debut New Issue of Arkansauce at March 28 Open House

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Cover of the 2019 issue of Arkansauce

The University Libraries invite you to join us for an open house to reveal the new issue of Arkansauce, a foodways publication, this Thursday from 4-6 p.m. in the Special Collections Reading Room. Refreshments, collection materials showcasing food culture, cards featuring recipes from the Arkansas Cookbook Collection and copies of the magazine will be available. This event is open to the public and offered at no cost to attendees. 

"Special Collections is a wonderful source for exploring food culture in Arkansas and throughout the south," said Lori Birrell, head of Special Collections. "We're excited to share these treasures in Arkansauce as a way of introducing the public to our collections."

Arkansauce was created by the University Libraries' Special Collections department and published annually from 2011 to 2014. John G. Ragsdale of Little Rock, who authored several books on outdoor cooking, inspired the concept for a foodways publication from the Libraries. Ragsdale donated his materials to the Special Collections department in 1994, and the John Gails Ragsdale Papers (MC 1329) have been available for the public to view and use since 1995. 

The 2019 issue of Arkansauce is focused on local businesses, sustainability practices and culinary resources housed in Special Collections. Ariel Romero and LeeAnna Thao designed this this issue. Lori Birrell, Kelsey Lovewell Lippard, Necia Parker-Gibson, Ariel Romero, Catherine Shoulders, Megan Wilson, Katrina Windon and Joshua Youngblood contributed articles. 

"We have a vibrant culinary community in Northwest Arkansas," said Carolyn Henderson Allen, dean of Libraries, "and it is our privilege to showcase that community through this publication and to preserve our state's culinary history through the Arkansas Cookbooks Collection."