VICTORIAN TEA SOCIETY

One day I was searching on the Internet for places near me that perhaps I didn't even know existed. Turns out there were several places I've never heard about.

One happened to be the Centennial Heritage Museum that was only about 3 miles from where I lived.

As I read more I found out they had a Victorian Tea Society that meets there and often have Tea Parties as a form of a fund raiser. They were going to have a Tea Party that was free. It was their yearly way of opening up the group in hopes of getting new members.

I made reservations for not only me, but my two sisters also. I thought it would be fun if you wanted to come along too. So, let's go.

Wow! There it is. I never even knew this place was around. Where have I been?

Here is the Kellogg house. Not the cereal Kellogg but the fertilizer Kellogg.

Turns out the Centennial Heritage Museum bought it for only $1.00 from Mr. Kellogg. Can you believe it! They did have to move it to their property though so I guess that cost a pretty penny.

We ran out of time so we couldn't go through the house. But, I'll be back to take a tour inside.

This place is big! They even have their own orange groves.

Oh, look. There is the sign. Guess we should go this way to the tea.

I love gazebos. Don't you?

Check out that big tree. Looks like they are having the tea outside in the shade. We sure are lucky the weather is nice today.

OK, this is the right place. Everyone is starting to take their seats. But, we still have a little bit of time so let's go check out more of the surrounding property.

What a pretty entrance into the rose garden. I love roses so of course I want to walk through here.

Roses everywhere! Smells good too.

Looks like just about every color of roses can be found here.

Ooh! Pink roses. My favorite.

Although these yellow ones are beautiful too.

Looks like the young girls are lined up getting ready to wait on us.

Don't you love the costumes they wore. Sure puts you in the mood.

Of course a lot of the Victorian Tea Society members were dressed up in Victorian dresses and hats. They love to dress up for all the tea parties. How fun!

These ladies looked like they were enjoying themselves. The lady standing was the president.

There were so many pretty hats. I loved seeing all of them.

This lady was so cute in her dress and hat. She brought her granddaughters with her.

These two women wore full Civil War dresses. Very cute!

Each table was set up with different china cups and saucers.

We started out with little tea sandwiches and chicken wings. I didn't eat the chicken or the sandwiches with meat. Well, I really only ate the cucumber sandwich and gave the others to my sisters.

But desserts were great! Homemade cookies, little apple butter tarts, frosted grapes and homemade ice cream dipped in chocolate.

After we ate an actress came dressed up and did a portrayal of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The author of the Little House on the Prairie books. They were my favorite books as a child.

She really knew her stuff. If you didn't know better you would think she really was Laura! She knew all the facts and told great stories, sung songs and showed pictures.

The one she is showing here is Laura's husband and child.

This is her real Pa and Ma.

She spoke for about an hour and then took questions. No one could stump her either. She knew it all. Just as if she lived the life herself.

They ended with a raffle drawing for these great baskets filled with all sorts of tea things, Victorian items and great gifts that anyone would be thrilled to get.

Nope, we didn't win.

Well, my sister, Maureen and I loved this so much, we signed up to join. My other sister, Patty, on the other hand couldn't wait to get out and go home. She said she felt like she was in a living nightmare. She couldn't understand why grown women would get dressed up and play pretend.

Maureen and I were all excited and were talking about getting dresses and hats and gloves. We are looking forward to our next Tea with the Victorian ladies.

How about you? Would you ever join a group like this and play dress up and have tea parties? Or, would something like this be a nightmare for you?

Hope you enjoyed your Tea Party.

Hugs,
Joanne