Paula J. Johnson: Julia Child's Kitchen at the Smithsonian

Upstart Crow

This episode hosted by Jennifer Disano, features Paula J. Johnson.

Paula is a distinguished curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, whose work has brought iconic stories of American culture to life. Most notably, Paula played a key role in preserving the legacy of culinary legend Julia Child. In 2001, she was part of the team that collected Julia Child’s home kitchen and later developed the celebrated exhibition Bon Appétit! Julia Child’s Kitchen at the Smithsonian, which captivated audiences from 2002 to 2012.

Paula shares behind-the-scenes stories about curating Julia’s kitchen—a treasure trove of culinary history—and how this exhibit became a landmark celebration of food’s role in American culture. We also explore her broader work, including co-curating FOOD: Transforming the American Table, 1950–2000, and her passion for connecting people to history through objects and storytelling.

Don’t miss this fascinating discussion about Julia Child’s enduring impact, the art of curation, and Paula’s remarkable career in preserving American history.

#JuliaChild #SmithsonianStories #AmericanFoodHistory

Pick up a copy of Paula's book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Childs-Kitchen-Design-Stories/dp/141977008X

Visit Julia Child's Kitchen at The Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

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