LIVERMORE – The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center will offer a Parisian theme dinner and program followed by a barn dance on Saturday, July 24, at the center.

The program, given by Steve and Allison Levine, recent visitors to Paris, will begin at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the barn dance begins at 7 p.m.

The menu this month features selections that Elihu Washburn and his wife, Adele, may have enjoyed during their time in France. The meal includes an onion tart, a choice of beef bourguignon or coque au vin with Parisian vegetables and rice, and a choice of either floating island or lemon cheese tart for dessert.

Elihu was the third son of Israel and Martha Washburn and is the one best known in the nation’s history. He was the intimate friend and adviser of two presidents and served for 18 years in the House of Representatives. During the month of July, the center honors his service as United States Minister to France. His eight years in France coincided with the Franco-Prussian War, the Siege of Paris and the Commune. He was the only diplomat to remain in Paris through the hostilities, thus establishing a precedent for American ambassadors. He returned home to be considered as a presidential nominee.

The price for the meal and the dance is $25 or $5 for just the dance. Please phone 897-4366 for dinner reservations.