Hearthside - The House That Love Built

CELEBRATE THE RITUALS OF SPRING WITH HEARTHSIDE’S TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA ON APRIL 29TH

Embracing the history and tradition of the fine art of tea time, Hearthside will be the setting for its annual Traditional Afternoon Tea on Sunday, April 29, 2007. This seventh annual event, sponsored by the Friends of Hearthside, is extremely popular and expected to draw 120 guests who will come to appreciate the luxury that Afternoon Tea brings, along with the chance to linger with friends and socialize the old fashioned way—over a pot of tea in elegant surroundings.

As guests pass through the door of this much-admired historic mansion, they instantly take a step back in time to a bygone era as volunteer hostesses greet them in Victorian attire. Spring flowers, elegant hats, delicate lace, dainty teacups and fancy miniature sandwiches and sweets all contribute to the experience of a Traditional Victorian Tea.

The theme for this year’s event is the “Language of Flowers” or floriography, which has been a part of social custom for centuries but really blossomed in the Victorian

era. Victorian women, having to express their feelings within the boundaries of a strict etiquette, found that flowers afforded them a silent language that allowed them to communicate many sentiments, especially between lovers, that normally would not have been allowed. It was not just the meaning of the actual flower that conveyed the particular message, but also the way the flowers were worn or presented and even the color of the flower. The featured guest for the Afternoon Tea at Hearthside will be Caroline Brown of Smithfield, a master gardener, nature lover, and freelance writer, who will present the “language of flowers.”

Guests are encouraged to participate in the tradition of tea by wearing their loveliest hats. Prizes will be given for the “most beautiful” and “most unusual” hats. Raffle prizes will also be offered. There will be tours of the house given following each seating of tea. The Hearthside Gift Shop will be open throughout the event to purchase special gifts, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Space is limited for the two seatings being offered at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Reservations for this event are required and tickets, at $20.00 each, must be purchased in advance by calling Hearthside at 401-726-0597 before April 20 th. Tickets are non-refundable and proceeds from the event benefit the restoration of the historic home.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF PREVIOUS TEAS

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