Menu Expand Menu Close
Back to Top
Filter Search Expand Close Filter
Search Expand Search Close
["Helvetia, West Virginia, population 59, is a Swiss community nestled in a high mountain valley along the Buckhannon River in Randolph County. In the 150-plus years since its founding, the Swiss traditions practiced by Helvetians have evolved in various ways. Helvetia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

121. Place setting for the Helvetia Ramp Supper in the Helvetia Community Hall

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.033.4.28.16
Title:
Place setting for the Helvetia Ramp Supper in the Helvetia Community Hall
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Wild leek, Festivals, Helvetia (W. Va.), Food habits, foodways
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["The Swiss community of Helvetia, West Virginia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

122. Helvetia Ramp Supper place setting with fresh ramps, applesauce, and vinegar

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.034.4.28.16
Title:
Helvetia Ramp Supper place setting with fresh ramps, applesauce, and vinegar
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
foodways, Wild leek, Festivals, Helvetia (W. Va.), Food habits
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.), Randolph County (W. Va.)
["The Swiss community of Helvetia, West Virginia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

123. Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 1 of 2

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.035.4.28.16
Title:
Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 1 of 2
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Wild leek, Cake, foodways, Helvetia (W. Va.), Festivals, Bakers, Food habits
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["The Swiss community of Helvetia, West Virginia began hosting its annual ramp supper sometime between 1946-1948 (Helvetia native Ernest Hofer who has been working at the supper for at least 40 years, wasnt sure of the exact date). The event is a fundraiser, benefiting the Helvetia Community Hall Association and the Farm Womens Club. For weeks prior, volunteers, including local 4-H kids, work to wash and freeze 60 bushels of ramps, some of which are dug and donated by locals, and the rest are bought from a digger. On the Friday before the event, male volunteers gather outside to cook 400 lbs. of potatoes in iron kettles over a wood fire, while drinking homemade wine. Women volunteers work in the kitchen, cutting 300 lbs. of ham, making cornbread, cooking Navy beans, and defrosting ramps. The Helvetia Ramp Supper is always held the last Saturday in April and draws visitors from across the state and region. The dinner includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, coleslaw, drink, and dessert, which guests eat at long tables in the basement of the Helvetia Community Hall. After dinner, a square dance is held upstairs. The documentation of the Helvetia Ramp Supper is part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/Also see Emily Hilliards piece on Helvetias seasonal celebrations, including the Ramp Supper, via The Bitter Southerner: https://bittersoutherner.com/my-year-in-helvetia-west-virginia and read her piece on the Ramp Supper via the West Virginia Folklife blog: https://wvfolklife.org/2016/05/27/rampfingerprints/For more information, visit: http://www.helvetiawv.com/Events/Helvetia_Ramps/Helvetia_Ramps.htm"]%

124. Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 2 of 2

Identifier:
4224.HelvetiaRampSupper.Photo.036.4.28.16
Title:
Homemade desserts for the Helvetia Ramp Supper, 2 of 2
Date:
2016-04-28
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Helvetia (W. Va.), Cake, Food habits, Festivals, Wild leek, Bakers, foodways
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

125. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 2 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.002.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 2 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Wheeling, W.Va., Festivals, Folk dancing, Greek, Orthodox Eastern Church
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

126. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 3 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.003.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 3 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Wheeling, W.Va., Folk dancing, Greek, Festivals
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

127. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 4 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.004.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 4 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Wheeling, W.Va., Folk dancing, Greek, Festivals
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

128. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 5 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.005.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 5 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Folk dancing, Greek, Wheeling, W.Va., Festivals
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

129. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 6 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.006.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 6 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Festivals, Folk dancing, Greek, Wheeling, W.Va.
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

130. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 7 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.007.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 7 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Folk dancing, Greek, Wheeling, W.Va., Festivals
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

131. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 8 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.008.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 8 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Festivals, Wheeling, W.Va., Folk dancing, Greek
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)
["Maria Kayafas has been the Greek dance instructor at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling for 25 years. She grew up in Kent, Ohio. In this interview, she talks about her family background and heritage, her experience as a Greek dancer and dance instructor, and the community at St. John the Divine. Learn more about the Wheeling Grecian Fest: http://www.grecianfest.com/"]%

132. Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 9 of 10

Identifier:
4224.KayafasMaria.Photo.009.7.27.17
Title:
Children's Greek dance troupe of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church performs at the Wheeling Grecian Fest, 9 of 10
Date:
2017-07-27
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Folk dancing, Greek, Festivals, Wheeling, W.Va.
Location:
Wheeling (W. Va.)