Historical Society of Delaware - The Etiquette of Tea

"Oh dear, you do look weary.
Sit down and have a cup of tea"

NOTE: This exhibit is CLOSED. For reference only.

Such an alluring invitation might have been issued by a matron of any of three families living in the Read House during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. To discover the settings in which the Reads, Coupers, or Lairds might have offered tea to family and friends, visit the Read House and Gardens through December 31, 2003, when tours of the elegant mansion will focus upon The Etiquette of Tea.

For a closer look, just click on any of the pictures below.

Tours highlights include the front and back parlors of the Read family arranged in a manner appropriate for a nineteenth century family tea and a tea reception, respectively. Guests can view tea and coffee services featuring Read family pieces and a coffee pot owned by Caesar Rodney in the front parlor. The back parlor features the different stages of a tea reception, from solemn, seated, sipping, to later card games and songs played on the pianoforte.

Across the hall from the parlors, the beautiful Laird dining room depicts a twentieth century tea reception. An elaborately dressed buffet table is laden with finger sandwiches and other tea goodies. On either end stand tea and coffee pots positioned for Mrs. Laird's reception hostesses to serve tea to guests.

Tours of the Read House spotlighting The Etiquette of Tea include a visit to ten museum rooms, and includes stories of three different families who lived in the Read House between the years of 1803 and 1975.

The Read House and Gardens is located at 42 The Strand,
in historic New Castle, Delaware.
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Tuesday-Saturday, and noon to 4:00 p.m Sunday. Admission: $4 adults, $3.50 seniors/student, $2 ages 6-12.
For more information, call (302) 322-8411.