Victorian Tea Provided Glimpse of the Past

 

Victorian Tea Provided Glimpse of the Past

 

Dressed for the occasion in red and purple ensembles, these members of the local Red Hat Club were among those who enjoyed an elegant Victorian tea hosted by the Brookfield Historical Society last Sunday at the Marvin Newton House museum in Brookfield. (photo provided)

Hot and muggy it was, but the downpours held off last Sunday, when the 1830s Federal style Marvin Newton House, Brookfield’s historic museum, welcomed approximately 50 people for the two seatings of a Victorian tea.

The squeaky old floors resounded with the steps of exploring feet, there was the click of flowered tea cups on saucers at linen-covered tables in the dining room and summer kitchen, and the sound of voices in conversation.

All kinds of people attended, well-behaved children, several men, relatives from Russia of Crossover Road’s Andreyev family, nine members of the local Red Hat club, dressed in their red and purple finery, lots of women, and Al Wilder, dressed to the nines in period garb. The spirit was festive.

The Historical Society board members were hard-pressed to keep up with the tea supply, as the kettles heating water depended on an uncertain electrical source, which repeatedly cut out. Tea sandwiches were followed by scones with jam and honey, then various cookies. Society president, Mike Dempsey, and past president Gary Lord served, dressed elegantly in black pants, white shirts and black bow ties, with a white towel draped over an arm.

Following each seating, Carol Rogers demonstrated the Victorian interest in flower knowledge and arranging. She brought a large, formal arrangement, and described the rules of its creation, then showed nosegays, called "Tussie-Mussies."

Rogers had printed tags listing flowers with their meanings to place with the many particular plants she brought. By the time she finished her interesting presentations, she had more than fulfilled the necessary educational hours needed for her Master Gardener certificate.

The 19^th century Dwinell collection of clothes just donated to the historical collection was placed for viewing in various corners of the summer kitchen, as people wandered through the museum looking at treasures collected over the years. Judy Bailey, a much-missed former board member, brought three fancy oil lanterns for some tables, and served tea-takers.

Jackie Wilder and Linda Runnion, the driving forces behind this offering, managed to serve up goodies from the old pantry, a space with shelves but only three feet by six feet to stand in, while Bonnie Fallon struggled with the tea production.

"It was a good day. We’ll probably do it again sometime," Fallon said.

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