MARGARETVILLE – The turbulent 1930s will be recalled at the Cauliflower Festival September 21 with a display about recurring milk strikes in the History Tent of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown.
The festival, held in the Margaretville village park, runs from 11 to 4; admission is free.
The History Tent features exhibits on the cauliflower growing industry which was an important adjunct to dairy farming in the region in the first half of the 20th century. Many local farmers supplemented their income from milk by raising and marketing ‘white gold’ as well as Brussels sprouts for the downstate market.
During the 1930s, some of those same farmers withheld their milk, dumping it in fields and roadways during protests over the price they were receiving for the product. These protests occasionally turned violent and often divided the farm community as striking farmers blocked neighbors from delivering their milk to local creameries.
The exhibits will be on view throughout the festival in the History Tent, which will include a plant sale, a Treasure Table of vintage items, merchandise and souvenirs, and raffle tickets for a hand made wooden bench.
For information on HSM activities and much more history, visit mtownhistory.org.
