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Junior League of Charleston

Mountain Measures: A Collection of West Virginia Recipes | Junior League of Charleston, West Virginia 1993 ©1974

Mountain Measures: A Collection of West Virginia Recipes | Junior League of Charleston, West Virginia 1993 ©1974

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AT A GLANCE

Title:
"Mountain Measures"
Type:
Cookbook
Style:
Community & Fundraising Cookbooks; Classic Southern Cooking
Author:
Junior League of Charleston
Era:
Late 20th Century (1970–1999)
Condition:
Good (G)
Location:
Charleston, West Virginia USA
Cover:
Softcover comb-bound
Pages:
385
ISBN:
9780960623204
Book genre:
Community & Junior League
Notes:
Southern Living Hall of Fame

MOUNTAIN MEASURES: A Collection of West Virginia Recipes is a regional cookbook first published in 1974 by the Junior League of Charleston, West Virginia.  The cookbook has been named a Southern Living Hall of Fame winner.

This is a difficult to find Junior League cookbook and includes photographs accompanied by bits of local history, and poetry from Louise McNeill, a West Virginia poet and historian of the Appalachian region.   Many recipes were gathered from West Virginia and Charleston persons of note, and those recipes are accompanied by the cook’s biography.  Recipes deemed “local” are marked with a quilt square icon.

The 394-page comb bound hardcover cookbook is in good used condition. There is some light discoloring on some of the page edges--particularly on the top. No bent edges, tears and handwritten notes inside, other than the previous owner's name on the inside cover.  Inside the back cover, there is some roughness on the inside backing. The Southern Living Hall of Fame sticker is on the front. This is a copy from the ninth printing in 1993. 

Just a quick heads‑up: the photos reveal details far better than text alone, so they’re worth a close review.

We share as much accurate information as possible about each item—from provenance to condition—but the images often show the nuances best. If you ever need more details, we’re always happy to help.

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The Legacy of Community Cookbooks

Community cookbooks are valued for their historical significance, their role in fundraising, and their ability to preserve culinary traditions. Often passed down through families with handwritten notes on time-worn pages, they reveal an intimate look into American culture and social norms—particularly the role of women.

Naming conventions like "Mrs. John A. Smith" reflect the hierarchy and identity of women during an era of limited societal power; while the recipes reflect food trends, kitchen technologies, and patterns of cultural assimilation. These cookbooks trace the larger story of America as it was reshaped by immigration, urban growth, and industrial change.

The tradition began during the Civil War with Maria J. Moss's, A Poetical Cookbook (1864), which raised funds for soldiers' families. Junior League organizations are major publishers, first publishing The Junior League Recipe Book (1930). Many have maintained popularity through the generations—like Charleston Receipts (1950), the oldest community cookbook that is still in print today.

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