Hanna’s Town Opening Day and Tea 2019

The cloudy skies did not put a damper on the sunny spirits of those who welcomed and those who attended the opening day for Historic Hanna’s Town 2019.  It was the maiden voyage, so to speak, for the new education center and relocation of the gift shop.   I had not been in the building yet, and although I didn’t really have any disposable time today, I did take a moment to walk up and look through the shop.  It’s bright and light and appealing and stocked with lovely items.  Joan and her crew did a wonderful job arranging and displaying.  I was in the shop twice and both times there were several people looking and shopping.  Lovely job! 

There were tours several times throughout the day and the first one to walk past had at least a dozen people, who were all well engrossed with the guide’s information and explanations.  I sort of wanted to slip into the group and hear it all again. The group was in front of the tavern by the stocks, beside the goal (jail).  One young woman was very interested in the tea (which was being set up at the time) and I was able to find her information.  I’m confident that she’ll be back with her sister in November for the fall tea!

My part in the day was to be scullery maid – working in the kitchen to prepare, organize and plate the food for the guests.  There were twenty-four in the first seating and eighteen in the second – I had the first shift.  The light meal would start out with ambrosia (a light fruit salad), then move on to scones, sugared/frozen grapes, and chocolate-dipped apricots.  That was followed by four different finger sandwiches (cucumber, egg salad, chicken salad, and date).  The sweets were tea cakes, tea-pot shaped sugar cookies, a spice cookie, and pound cake (my particular favorite).  And of course, the ‘guest of honor’, spiced tea.  The tea cups were traditional china cups with saucers.

The rooms and the porch were decorated with flowers, arranged and brought by volunteers: Lilacs on the corner shelf, wild flowers in a bucket on the school desk outside, a wreath and a vase by the door, roses on the window sill, and a floral spray flanked by candles on both mantles.  So inviting and quaint. 

Lillian, who directed and hosted the event, explained that the teas had started in 1986 by Margie Albright as a fund raiser for the Elizabeth Hanna Guild.  Lillian was there from the first tea – over thirty years! – and is the expert.  She takes great pride in seeing that everything is exactly perfect, and shares some of the history of the event and the original colonial teas with the guests.  The English were (of course) well known for hosting teas, but the residents of Hanna’s Town in the 1700’s would have none of the British ways!  They used whatever spices and flavorings they had in their own back yard or stored in the fruit cellars.  Lillian also made certain that the tea  – which was brewed for two hours – was never put in cold serving pots.  The tea pots would always be warmed with hot water before the tea was poured and served.  Just watching her face and hearing the excitement in her voice tells you how much she loves doing this, and how important it is to her.  It’s great to have Lillian and her crew – both the scullery girls working downstairs in the kitchen and the serving wenches upstairs in the tea room!  All were pleasant and efficient and equally invested in making the day fun and delightful. 

Hanna’s Town has a full slate of activities going on throughout the year.  Today was just the kick-off events.  Check out their website at WESTMORELANDHISTORY.ORG to see the full schedule, including the fall tea on November 8th.  My personal recommendation is Court Days on June 22nd and 23rd, although everything is wonderful!  Historic Hanna’s Town – Where history is present.  Come see us!