Western National Parks Celebrates Release of 50th Anniversary Edition of An Army Wife’s Cookbook
New edition helps celebrate the culinary heritage and resilience of 19th-century military families.
TUCSON, AZ, October 29, 2024 –Western National Parks (WNP) is proud to announce the release of a special 50th anniversary edition of An Army Wife’s Cookbook, originally written by Alice Kirk Grierson. First published in 1972, this unique cookbook provides a firsthand look into the lives of 19th-century military families, preserving an important subculture that might otherwise be lost today.
The cookbook traces its origins to 1968 when Mrs. Edith Flynt Phillips of Dallas, Texas, donated the original manuscript to the National Park Service at Fort Davis National Historic Site. The book had been in her family since 1935 when her uncle, the owner of a second-hand store in Marfa, Texas, acquired it as George Grierson, the youngest child of Ben and Alice Grierson, cleared out the family properties at Fort Davis.
Meeting the Challenge of the Frontier
The recipes and household remedies contained in this treasured collection date from the 1860s through the 1880s–a time when Alice and other army wives faced the trials of caring for their families in remote frontier posts with limited resources – and showcase influences from both Native American and Mexican cuisines, further enriching the tapestry of flavors. Her recipes and observations reveal the skills and adaptability these women needed as they cooked, preserved food, and navigated the challenging frontier lifestyle.
Alice Kirk Grierson married Ben Grierson in 1854, and by 1866 she had joined him in the West, where Ben led the 10th Cavalry, an African American regiment also known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.” Alice is remembered for her advocacy for the soldiers in these ranks, which was rare among her peers. She juggled public and private roles, as a hostess and social coordinator at the forts where the Griersons were stationed, and as a wife and mother raising a family in new places.
Collective Efforts Preserve More Than Recipes
In a remarkable effort led by National Park Service families and friends of the Southwest Region, the recipes in Alice’s collection were meticulously tested and compiled into a cookbook beloved by home cooks. Preparation procedures have been updated, allowing modern cooks to experience the flavors and traditions of frontier life. Many recipes also include practical advice on food preservation and storage, essential skills for life on the frontier, and they remain relevant to today’s readers interested in traditional food preparation techniques.
A Page Out of History
Beyond being a simple cookbook, An Army Wife’s Cookbook represents an early work of food anthropology. Preserving Alice’s own words (including old spelling forms and punctuation), it offers readers a direct connection to the past while providing guidance for those who wish to try out these recipes in a modern kitchen. Each page invites readers to step back in time and appreciate the cultural legacy left by Alice and the many other military spouses who have delved into this remarkable collection.
Western National Parks is proud to offer this 50th anniversary edition of An Army Wife’s Cookbook, ensuring that the resilience, resourcefulness, and culinary creativity of 19th-century army wives continue to inspire future generations.
For more information or to purchase a copy, please visit WNP’s online store at store.wnpa.org.
About WNPA
Western National Parks helps make the national park experience possible for everyone. As a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service, WNP supports parks across the West, developing products, services, and programs that enhance the visitor experience, understanding, and appreciation of national parks. Since 1938, WNP has worked to connect new generations to parks in meaningful ways, all with one simple goal: create advocates who want to preserve and protect these special places for everyone, for all time. Learn more at www.wnpa.org.
