Bob Wyer's Delaware County:
Photographs From the Mid-20th Century
McLean BBQ

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Right at the end of the Great Depression, in late September 1940 Alice T. McLean invited the community around South Kortright and beyond to visit her estate to enjoy an afternoon and evening of food and entertainment. Mrs. McLean, a wealthy and prominent sponsor of the "American Women's Voluntary Services, Inc.," held the festivities at her large Riverside Farm estate (now the Phoenix House) in South Kortright. The day's feast was offered to the community entirely free of charge, Mrs. McLean apparently wishing to use the event as a way of thanking local workers and to interest others in voluntary service.

Lawrence A. Walker of Hobart was in charge of the barbecue. With the help of three of the best barbecue men in the region, 1600 lbs of barbecued beef were slowly "fired" over two days on an outdoor fire pit. At the end of the cooking process a whole cadre of volunteers helped remove the carcass (and six hind quarters) and then serve it in sandwiches to the assembled throng. In addition to the beef, the feast included 6,000 rolls, 120 loaves of bread, 200 lbs. of potato chips, 12,000 pickles, 250 24-bottle cases of soda, and 5,000 half-pint packs of ice cream.

During the afternoon and early evening, among other activities, motion pictures were shown on a big screen. Despite rain showers, later on in the evening fireworks were presented over the lake adjoining the McLean residence, after which music, played by a seven-piece band directed by Joe Goldin, accompanied outdoor dancing.


Click on each image for larger view.

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)



McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)



McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)



McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940..
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)



McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)

McLean BBQ, South Kortright,
September 1940.
Photograph by Bob Wyer, from the archives of the Delaware County Historical Association (New York)




This exhibit was funded by:
The A. Lindsay and Olive B. O'Connor Foundation, Inc.
The Tianaderrah Foundation

For more information on the Bob Wyer collection or to purchase a print or digital copy please contact DCHA at (607)-746-3849 or e-mail dcha@delhi.net
Cost: $10 digital and $25 for a print.
This money will help with the care of the Delaware County Historical Association's Archives.

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