Bygone Basics

Specialties

Preserving heritage through experiencing the lost art of «putting by.»

Re-​Live an era when things were simpler, foods were natural, saving pennies was important, and people knew what was on their plate.

There is no better way to see the character and flavor of an area than through experiencing its food and heritage.

Heritage Immersion Culinary Sessions tailored for each private group. Hands-​on home canning, food preservation (freezing/​drying), jam & jelly making, butter churning, and baking items from «scratch». Revel in heritage kitchen tools and methods while comparing with modern ones. A full meal is included. The meal harkens to the old-​fashioned farm mid-​day dinner. (the evening meal was called supper)

All experienced in a 140 year old historic home.

History

Established in 2009.

After spending 41 years living in a very old fashioned family farm environment, Valerie was suddenly living in suburbia.

She and John Hanson met, and married, at the local Book Nook and Java Shop. They created Bygone Basics together. It was born in suburban Whitehall, Michigan.

The idea for it began when they engaged a Mexican woman in Cozumel, MX to demonstrate her own generational culinary knowledge. Of that, and the existing passion for their own heritage, Bygone Basics was created to celebrate American culinary and cultural home history.

they could create this very unique niche company that began as a way to teach local families the value of traditional cost saving and health beneficial home arts (canning, baking, and gardening) and has become a tourist destination for culinary tourism. In 2010, they moved Bygone Basics to a 140 year old historical home. Guests arrive from all over the U.S.A. for an immersion experience in heritage culinary traditions.

Meet the Business Owner

Valerie H.

Business Owner

After spending 41 years living in a very old fashioned family farm environment, Valerie suddenly was living in suburbia.

She and John Hanson met, and then married, at the local Book Nook and Java Shop. They created Bygone Basics together. It was born in suburban Whitehall, Michigan.

The idea for it began when they engaged a Mexican woman in Cozumel, MX to demonstrate her own generational culinary knowledge. Of that, and the existing passion for their own heritage, Bygone Basics was created.

Valerie, with degrees in business and accounting, has successfully run businesses as the executive; and, John, with a technical position at a local company, and many years of re-​modeling experience; knew they could create this very unique niche company that began as a way to teach local families the value of traditional cost saving and health beneficial home arts (canning, baking, and gardening) and has become a tourist destination for culinary tourism. Guests arrive from all over the U.