Oyster Roast is a .... Rick

The annual Oyster Roast was, as always, a success. Special thanks to the Grants for their help. It is a little known fact that Bob Davis is an expert hot dog griller, we are thankful for his hard work as well. The oysters were, as oysters are, delicious! We hope you will join us again next year!

Socials are only possible with your help, if you would like to volunteer for, or host a social in 2024, please contact Autumn Taylor bariautumn@gmail.com.

Of course, I’m sure what you are all asking yourselves is, who is Rick and what does he have to do with oysters? Well, here’s your history lesson for today — Colonists in 17th and 18th century Tidewater learned very quickly that while the area is rich in many resources, limestone is not one of them. Clay is easy enough to come by for brickmaking, but you need mortar to bind the bricks to make a structure and plaster to finish the walls. This is where the oyster enters the scene.

In order to produce the lime needed for mortar and plasterwork, thousands of oyster shells would be put into a great bonfire a “Rick”, and burned until the temperature reached a consistent 1600 degrees, then the fire would be left to burn completely to ash. When it was cool enough the oyster shells would be collected and water added. The resulting chemical reaction created lime which would then be turned into mortar or plaster (Do not try this at home, as it is stinky, and lime is pretty dangerous). A great surviving example of period mortar and plaster is in the original Gloucester Courthouse.

While the shells from our Oyster Roast are not destined to be turned to lime, it is fun to think that four hundred years ago, people did exactly what we do — eat oysters!