May is here, and at Muhlenberg County Public Libraries, that means it’s almost time for the annual Spring Victorian Tea!
This year’s tea is scheduled for May 14 at 2 p.m. at Thistle Cottage.
The Spring Victorian Tea is held each year to give visitors a glimpse of what it would be like to attend a traditional Victorian afternoon tea. Thistle Cottage, which was built soon after the end of the Victorian era, is decorated appropriately with photos, fresh flowers and more. Attendees are treated to a light meal and a variety of carefully chosen teas.
“It’s an opportunity for people to try things they may not have experienced before … it’s not just an everyday meal,” Muhlenberg County Public Libraries director Janet Harris said. “We make sure our menu isn’t too far out of anyone’s comfort zone, but we also try to make sure we serve things that people don’t get every day.”
In addition to the menu, Harris said, the event itself is something out of the ordinary for the region. Most places in this region don’t serve a daily afternoon tea, she pointed out, and many people who attend the tea at Thistle Cottage have never been to anything else similar. She said library staff work hard to make sure that everyone who attends the tea feels special.
“We really try to make sure everyone who attends has a great time and gets to experience something unique.”
Additionally, the event features a hat contest. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite fancy hats, and a prize will be given away at the end of the event.
Harris said, “This event is something that people look forward to all year long, every year.”
“We get a lot of compliments after the event each year.”
Since the tea is typically scheduled around the same time as Mother’s Day, many people bring their mothers as a special treat, Harris said, but the event is equally great for sisters, friends or even the whole family.
Tickets for the tea are $10 each, and proceeds benefit the Muhlenberg County Public Libraries Friends of the Library. Tickets go on sale May 2 and may be purchased at Thistle Cottage (122 South Cherry St. in Greenville). Seating is limited, so anyone interested in attending is encouraged to purchase their tickets early.
For more information about the Spring Victorian Tea, call Muhlenberg County Public Libraries at 270-338-4760.
