Vintage fashion and tea part of historical society event
Victorian etiquette will be explored when the Elizabeth Township Historical Society exhibits vintage fashions from its collection at summer tea parties at The Betsy Shoppe in Elizabeth Township.
Reservations at $25 are being taken at 412-751-6695 for the teas, to be held at noon Aug. 10 and 11. Sandwiches, cakes and tea will be served.
Modern day tea parties began with Queen Victoria, who then hosted the first Royal Garden Parties in the 1860s. The tradition continues with Queen Elizabeth hosting three each summer at Buckingham Palace in London and one at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.
The evolution of teas first held in formal parlors in the late 19th century to garden parties around 20th century pavillions and croquet courts will be revealed. The fashions on display will show the changes from exotic Victorian tea gowns to white eyelet cotton dresses of the Edwardian period.
Rules for hosts and guests will be listed, like arranging chairs and tables in small groups to encourage conversation and not placing cake or scones on saucers, which would be considered “very vulgar.”
The teas are fundraisers for the society and its efforts to restore a 1790 log house in the Greenock area, where community yard sales will be held Aug. 18. Individuals and vendors may rent space to sell items that day at the log house, located at 1215 Greenock Buena Vista Road.
The search is also on for artists and crafters to participate in Greenok Log House Days, which will feature re-enactors for the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line Sept. 22.
To reserve space for the yard sale and Greenock Log House Days, call 412-751-5389 or e-mail betweentworivershistory@gmail.com.