Laurie Ann Nicholas

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CORN!
By
NEXT
Curator
Laurie Ann Nicholas
Native American Food Museum
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Click Corn Below First
ALL ABOUT CORN
All about Corn
All about Corn
The Garden
Recipes
Fun Facts
Just for Fun - Enter
open
Corn Hall
This way
End Show
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Indian Corn
Welcome to the museum of corn! I hope you
enjoy your visit. You will learn several facts
about corn, various uses of the corn plant, and
some recipes. In addition, if you look
around the rooms you will find some fun facts
about Native American life included for your
enjoyment. Sincerely, Laurie Nicholas
Return to museum
http//www.aaanativearts.com/article550.html
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Modern Maize
http//www.wonderquest.com/meander-beetle-corn.htm
corn
Corn was the main crop for Native Americans.
The many varieties of corn were yellow, red, blue
and white. All parts of the corn plant were used.
Nothing was thrown away. Besides using corn for
eating, Native Americans used corn for cooking,
clothing, bedding and even making toys for their
children. Corn was unknown to the Europeans
before they met the Indians. Indians gave them
the seeds and taught them how to grow it. Today
in the U.S.A., more farm land is used to grow
corn (60 million acres) than any other grain.
Back to Museum
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CORN FACTS
Back to Museum

• Corn Products
• Your bacon and egg breakfast, glass of milk at
  lunch, or hamburger for supper were all produced
  with U.S. corn.
• Corn is a major component in many food items
  like cereals, peanut butter, snack foods and soft
  drinks.
• U.S. researchers have led the way in finding
  many uses for corn - like in vitamins and amino
  acids.
• Corn is used to produce fuel alcohol. Fuel
  alcohol makes gasoline burn cleaner, reducing air
  pollution, and it doesn't pollute the water.

http//www.campsilos.org/mod3/students/index.shtml

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Imagine that you are visiting an Iroquois
village 1,000 years ago. You look around and take
note of how strong and physically healthy the
men, women and children are. You cannot help but
make a connection between what is apparently a
normal staple of their diet and its positive
effect on their well being. It then
blossoms into Summer which is spent in careful
cultivation of the plants by the women while the
men are often away from the village in hunting
and warfare activities. Next comes the Fall
harvest with and its related social activities
for he whole community. Finally, in the
snow-draped silence of Winter the carefully
raised crop is stored and used. In this journey
you will earn of the flow of life, of corns
origins its many uses and its future. Come along
and enjoy yourself!
Corn Journey
Back to Museum
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
nativeaccess.com/ancestral/corn/images/image005.jp
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The domestication of maize is of particular
interest to researchers, geographers, etc. The
process is thought by some to have started 7,500
to 12,000 years ago. Recent genetic evidence
suggests that maize domestication occurred 9000
years ago in central Mexico. The wild teosinte
most similar to modern maize grows in the area of
the Balsas River. Archaeological remains of early
maize ears, found at Guila Naquitz Cave (below)
in the Oaxaca Valley, date back roughly 6,250
years
Old Maize
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maize
Back to Museum
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Although there are 137-570 types of rats,
Rattus Rattus (the black rat) and Rattus
Norvegicus (the brown rat) are our two main rats.
These rats live near human dwellings but most
rats live deep in the forests. Rats originated
in Asia but were carried over from Europe on
trading ships. Black rats carried a
disease known as the Bubonic plague. They
received the plague from the rat flea while
living in filthy areas and dumps in their cities.
The plague spread and killed may Native
Americans in America. Brown Rats have
become domesticated and make great pets. They are
so intelligent that you can teach them tricks!
They are also known to love their owners as much
as cats and dogs.
RATS!
http//www.rmca.org/
Back to Room
http//www.geocities.com/RainForest/vines/8377/rat
intro.htm http//www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/bd
eath/Flea.html
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THE GARDEN
Fun Facts
Return to main Hall
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Many British sailors suffered and often
died from scurvy. British sailors would hang out
and patronize local prostitutes in the urban
areas and become sick. When the got to America
they learned that the juice from limes and lime
leaves would help in the healing process. Limes
were a good source of vitamin C Lime juice
was added to the diet of sailors and thus the
nickname 'limeys'.
LIMEY
Return to the Garden Room
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_words_for
_British
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Corn Stalks
Corn plants showing ears
Corn female flower with corn silk
Corn male flower with corn tassel
Return to the Garden Room
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maize
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Corn is the oldest sister. She stands tall
in the center. Squash is the next sister.
She grows over the mound, protecting her sisters
from weeds and shades the soil from the sun with
her leaves, keeping it cool and moist.
Beans are the third sister. She climbs through
squash and then up corn to bind all together as
she reaches for the sun. Beans help keep the soil
fertile by converting the sun's energy into
nitrogen filled nodules that grow on its roots.
As beans grow they use the stored nitrogen as
food.
THE THREE SISTERS
http//www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/threesisters.ht
ml
Return to the Garden Room
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Harvesting
Corn
Corn may be harvested while in it's green corn
stage, but traditionally it is left to ripen and
is harvested in Autumn. The cob is sun dried and
stored for winter use. To harvest green corn
observe the silky threads coming from the tops of
the ears, when the silk is dry and a dark brown
color the corn may be harvested. To remove an ear
of corn, hold the stalk a few inches below the
ear. Pull the tip of the ear toward the ground
until it snaps off.
Return to the Garden Room
http//www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/threesisters.ht
ml
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RECIPE ROOM
INTRODUCTION TO CORN RECIPES (click here!)
Fun Facts
Back to Main Hallway
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CORN RECIPES
Corn was often ground into corn meal, using
wooden mortars and pestles. The mortars were made
of short logs which were turned upright and
hollowed out on the top end. The corn was put in
the hollow part and ground by pounding up and
down with a long piece of wood which was rounded
on both ends. This was called a pestle. Corn
meal could be used to make cornbread, corn
pudding, corn syrup, or could be mixed with beans
to make succotash. A special dessert was made by
boiling corn meal and maple syrup.
Back to Recipe Room
http//www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/cornfwdp.html
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Cats traveled to North America with the
Pilgrims on the Mayflower. Cats were the mice
catchers and other rodent eliminators on the
ships. During the 1700's, explorers, colonists,
and traders from Europe brought the domestic cat
to the Americas. The transformation from wild
to domestic came over a long period of time.
(http//www.freeessays.cc/db/3/alw21.sh
tml)
CATS
Laurie Nicholas personal photographs, October
2007
Back to Recipe Room
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Indian Corn Chowder
INGREDIENTS 2 c. olives, sliced 1 qt.
whole yellow kernel corn 1/2 c. pimientos,
diced 1 lb. smoked ham, minced 1/2 c.
margarine 1 c. onion, diced 1 c. celery,
diced 1 c. green bell pepper, diced 1 qt.
chicken stock 1 lb. potatoes, peeled and diced
3 c. milk 1 c. heavy cream Tabasco to
taste salt and pepper to taste
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
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tp//www.roadfood.com/Recipes/SearchResults.aspx3
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PREPARATION 1. Combine ripe olive slices, corn,
pimientos and smoked ham. Reserve. Combine
onion, celery and bell pepper with margarine in
heavy pot. Sauté for 5 minutes. 2. Add
chicken stock and potatoes. Heat to a boil, then
reduce to a simmer. Simmer until potatoes are
tender, about 30 minutes. 3. Add milk and cream
with reserved olive mixture. Heat to a bare
simmer. Do not boil. Adjust seasoning with
Tabasco, salt and pepper.
Back to Recipe Room
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Indian Pudding
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roadfood.com/recipephotos/mini_25.jpgimgrefurlht
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Ingredients 3 cups milk1/4 cup black molasses2
tablespoons sugar2 tablespoons butter,
melted1/4 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon baking
powder1 egg, beaten1/2 cup yellow corn
mealVanilla ice cream
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 425
degrees. 2. Mix together 1-1/2 cups of the milk
with the molasses, sugar, butter, salt,
baking powder, egg, and cornmeal. Pour the
mixture into a stone crock that has been
well greased and bake until it boils. 3. Heat
the remaining 1-1/2 cups of milk and stir it
in. 4. Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees
and bake 5-7 hours. 5. Serve warm with a
scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Back to Recipe Room
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Instructions Cook onion in oil until lightly
browned. add beef, stirring constantly
until browned. Add corn, beans, salt and pepper
to meat mixture. Add enough water to cover and
simmer on a low flame. If it starts to get dry,
add a little more water. You can simmer
the succotash for up to 30 minutes.

• Ingredients
• 1 can yellow corn
• 1 can red kidney beans
• or lima beans, drained
• 1 medium white onion,
• or one cup scallions,
• chopped
• 3 Tablespoons oil
• 1 lb. Lean ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste

Succotash
Back to Recipe Room
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plimoth.org/kids/images/succ1.jpgimgrefurlhttp/
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• JOHNNY CAKE
• (OR CORNBREAD) RECIPE
• 1 cup stone ground corn
• meal (white or yellow)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Milk
• Butter
• (or bacon drippings or oil or fat)

Whisk together cornmeal, salt and sugar (if
used).  Bring water to a boil and pour over the
meal mixture, whisking to prevent lumps.  Let the
batter rest 10 minutes. Butter a large skillet
or griddle and bring it to about 375 degrees,
just to a sizzle (do not burn the butter).   Add
enough milk (1/2 to a cup) to the batter to make
it the consistency of mashed potatoes, and drop
by spoonfuls to make cakes about 2 or 3 inches
wide and several inches apart (they will spread).
Let the cakes gently sizzle on the grill for
about 6 minutes or as long as 11 minutes until
you bring them to a deep golden brown on the
bottom and slightly firm on the top, before
turning them over. Add some more butter to the
griddle, and/or place a thin pat of butter on
each cake, before turning them over and cooking
for another 6 minutes (or longer) until they are
a deep golden brown color. Makes about 8
cakes.  Serve with butter and maple syrup.
Jonnycakes
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Back to Recipe Room
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CORN CREATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO CORN CREATIONS (click here!)
Return to main Hallway
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CORN CREATIONS
Corn was used for many other things besides
eating. The husks and the corncobs were utilized
for everyday household uses. The husks were
braided and woven to make masks, moccasins,
sleeping mats, baskets, and cornhusk dolls.
Corncobs were used for fuel, to make darts for a
game, and were tied onto a stick to make a rattle
for ceremonies.
Return to Corn Creations Room
http//www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/cornfwdp.html
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Sleeping Mats
Return to Corn Creations Room
This is an Iroquois camp. You can see
many corn mats hanging above and the native
Americans are sitting on them. They were also
used for sleeping in the camps. These mats were
woven from corn husks.
Cornhusk bed mat Iroquois. Rolled husks sewn
with basswood cord and braided Edge.
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
nativeaccess.com/ancestral/corn/images/image005.jp
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http//www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/index.html
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Sometimes the Indians wore corn husks masks
or painted their faces to frighten away the evil
spirits. The False Face Society was a group of
medicine men who wore frightening masks made of
wood or cornhusks. They were thought to posses
special powers when they put on their masks.
All corn husk and wooden masks are sacred and
are only to be used for their intended purpose.
Masks are empowered the moment they are made.
Medicine societies would use these masks in
rituals which represent the shared power of the
original medicine beings. Mask should not be
made unless they are to be used by the medicine
society, according to tradition.
Cornhusk Masks
http//www.chichesterinc.com/CornHuskMasks.htm
Return to Corn Creations Room
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Cornhusk dolls have been made since the
beginning of corn agriculture over a thousand
years ago. They are made from braided or rolled
husks and stuffed with leaves. The hair is made
from the corn silk tassel. Most dolls measure
between four and ten inches tall. Both boy and
girl dolls were made. Sometimes a face is drawn
but most dolls are faceless or have red dots for
cheeks.
Cornhusk Dolls
http//www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/corndoll.html
Return to Corn Creations Room
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Cornhusk Bottles
The twined cornhusk basket is water tight.
This basket was used to store salt. It was
called Gus-ha-da, which means bottle. Many
of these bottles combined flag leaves while being
weaved. The corn cob was used as a stopper to
seal the bottles.
                                       
Cornhusk bottles for salt Iroquois.
Return to Corn Creations Room
http//www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/cornbotl.html
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AMAZING CORN MAZES
Introduction (click here)
Return to main Hallway
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AMAZING MAZES
Return to Amazing Corn Mazes
This room was created just for a fun peek at
some of our farms today. Many corn fields have
become an art form.
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Farming Heritage Corn Field
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
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Return to Amazing Corn Mazes
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Animal Farm Corn Field
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
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Return to Amazing Corn Mazes
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American Gothic Corn Field
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
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Return to Amazing Corn Mazes
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Thank You
for coming to
my Museum of CORN!
End Show
Curator
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LAURIE NICHOLAS
Laurie Nicholas has been a resident of Las
Vegas for 16 years. She is originally from
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor degree
in the Arts. She specialized in Graphic Design
for 5 years. A major career change came when she
decided to become a Carpenter. She attended trade
school and became a journeyman working in the
trade for 10 years. Recently Laurie
obtained a Masters Degree in Elementary
Education. She states, I have always desired to
teach others, Its hard work, but the rewards are
overwhelming!

• Provide a personal biography here.
• Include Contact Information

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