The turkeys on this antique postcard seem to have figured out what’s on the menu on Thanksgiving Day. Jailbreak! They must have had smarter birds a century ago.

Since I’ve been living in 1902 for the past few months—working on my third Mary MacDougall mystery—I’ve occasionally had reason to consult one of the most popular cookbooks of the day for menu ideas, The Whitehouse Cookbook by Fanny Gillette. Here’s what was on the White House dinner menu for Thanksgiving c. 1887:

• Oysters on the Half Shell
• Cream of Chicken Soup
• Fried Smelts with Sauce Tartare
• Roast Turkey
• Cranberry Sauce
• Mashed Potatoes
• Baked Squash
• Boiled Onions
• Parsnip Fritters
• Olives
• Chicken Salad
• Venison Pastry
• Pumpkin Pie
• Mince Pie
• Charlotte Russe
• Almond Ice Cream
• Lemon Jelly
• Hickory Nut Cake
• Cheese
• Fruits
• Coffee

All I can say to that is, “Please pass the Tums.” Anyway, I hope you all have a great Turkey Day. And to you inveterate shoppers, happy Black Friday, as well.