Serving Up History and Afternoon Tea
by Debbie Waugh, Site Historian, Green Spring Gardens
Historic House tea programs are two-part events. First, we serve up education, information, and entertainment in the form of a history-themed slideshow lecture or a docent-led garden tour, complete with the story of Green Spring’s origins. Then comes the tea. So, what do we serve up at the tea table?
Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford
A proper British afternoon tea! Dainty savory sandwiches (including the classic cucumber), scones topped with cream and jam, and an assortment of cakes and pastries, washed down by as many cups of tea as desired. Food is embellished with edible flowers from the gardens when possible and arranged on an elegant 3-tiered stand, a staple of the tea table since the 1880s.
The custom of afternoon tea originated at the court of Queen Victoria. Lady-in-waiting Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is credited with “inventing” the ritual in the 1840s. At that time the fashionable dinner hour was rather late, 8 or even 9 pm. Understandably, the duchess famously complained of experiencing a “sinking feeling” in the late afternoon. To ward off the hunger pangs, she requested a pot of tea accompanied by some bread and butter or biscuits (British cookies) to be served in her private living quarters. Eventually she invited her friends along and the menu expanded to finger sandwiches and various sweet delicacies. Food was conveniently bite-sized so as not to interfere with the free exchange of news, opinions, and gossip! And with the nod of approval from Her Majesty, a new social event was born.
Cucumber sandwiches have been on the afternoon tea menu since the Victorian era; in fact, the bill of fare has hardly changed from then till now. The Victorian teatime custom of indulging in a glass of sherry, claret, or champagne has also endured. Who are we to ignore tradition? On occasion our guests have been offered the choice of a glass of sherry or prosecco.
Tea tray set up at the Historic HouseOur menus change seasonally (although the cucumber sandwich is a constant) and special touches are added for special occasion teas, like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas. Attendees at our popular Scottish-themed programs are even treated to a taste of haggis if they’re feeling adventurous.
By popular request, a tea program this summer will feature an entirely gluten-free menu created by our caterer, with a view to accommodating this dietary requirement on a regular basis in the future. The program is entitled “Tea and Tattle.” Part one: a lecture about the origins and history of gossip. Part two: a 3-tiered tray laden with gluten-free teatime delectables. (Sorry, no booze with this one.)
The Historic House serves up history and scrumptious teatime tradition all year-round. We hope you’ll join us and raise a teacup in honor of Anna, Duchess of Bedford and her friends!
