The Regency Society of Virginia sent volunteers to serve and play hostess to the guests at the tea. We also gave a presentation on Valentine's Day through history.
If you live in Virginia and have never been to Bacon's Castle, I can highly recommend taking the trip! It's a very cool 17th Century manor house, and the docents there can give you a highly educational and interesting tour.
This is one of the rooms with actual antique furniture (which of course we were not allowed to sit on):
We set up for tea in another room:
I'm sure we were all very busy here, even if it looks like we're doing nothing!
Brian the Engineer took all of these photos for me.
One of our number, Kathleen, brought her beautiful Irish Harp to play music for the tea:
She provided such lovely ambiance! She is truly an accomplished lady.
As I recall, RSV members also lent their china to Bacon's Castle for the day:
Each table had its own set, and they were all lovely.
Going over the plan for the afternoon: (Stacy was in charge.)
Making sure the harp was in tune:
Something was sure fascinating! Can't remember now what it was...
Helping one another get ready:
Taking a moment to pose in the exquisite light from this window:
The guests begin to arrive:
On display for guests to study was a pane of glass that used to be one of the windows of the house. On it was written a love letter (etched into the glass with a diamond) that one of the former owners of the house wrote to his wife.
It's very hard to read, but copies of the letter can be found in the Bacon's Castle gift shop.
Another window that is still a part of the house has a signature on it, also etched with a diamond:
We prepared plates of food while the guests got settled in the next room:
A delightful selection of sandwiches and scones:
Time to serve!
We also taught those present how to fold a "puzzle purse" Valentine:
This type of folded Valentine was popular during the early 19th Century.
You could put a token or small piece of candy inside the pouch.
I liked these puzzle Valentines so much, I used them as the wedding favors at my reception a year later!
As the presentation continued, us hostesses served tea:
And drank tea:
Ooh, dessert time!
Then afterwards we cleaned up:
And took advantage of the beautiful light and historic setting for a quick photo shoot:
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| Don't worry, this chair is a reproduction - I was told it was ok to sit on! |
I had some fun posing in the furnished room, which was permitted as long as I didn't *actually* touch anything:
Seriously, five-years-ago-Chelsea was a bad blogger! But better late than never, right? :p
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