Cadman Kitchen

Cadman Kitchen. . Similar to many 19th century rural homes in Florida, the Cadmans kitchen was separate from the main house for practical reasons. Cooking and fires created smoke and heat that would be unwelcome in the living areas of the house. The kitchen was connected to the main house by a raised and covered walkway - a beneficial feature during Florida's rainy season., Home Cooking , The Cadmans' domestic servant, Sarah Evans, moved to Florida with the family. She worked for them for 12 years in several capacities: as the nurse or nanny to Margery, a helper for Jane, and a cook for the family. Sarah's situation as a full-time employee in the home was somewhat unusual for the time. She died in Florida in 1890 after living in Narcoossee for only two years., What’s for Dinner? , In the late 1800s, food for the well-to-do English family was well balanced and intriguing. The pantry would have featured exotic spices including curry, extracts, and chutneys - favorites of the British Colonial era. In Florida, the Cadman diet remained loyal to English roots. The Cadman property had a garden, and they imported Jersey cows and fine English Yorkshire pigs to provide fresh milk and pork. The cook may have also prepared English fare such as Beef Wellington, Steak and Kidney Pie, and Yorkshire Pudding., (captions) , Rear View of Kitchen, circa 1900 , The kitchen included two interior rooms - a dining area and a cooking area. A third outdoor room, which was a covered woodshed, was enclosed to create a breakfast room prior to 1900. Image courtesy of Orange County Regional History Center , Picnic under the Bamboo, circa 1900 , William and Jane Cadman loved to entertain and were known for hosting William and Jane Cadman loved to entertain and were known for hosting. Image courtesy of Orange County Regional History Center