It's an outdoor tea party--you walk around or sit with your friends under the tent or at tables around the gazebo with a fabulous view of Huntsville from the top of Monte Sano Mountain. There's live music--a harpist in the Mansion, an acoustical guitar under the gazebo, and bluegrass on the porch of one of the late 1800's log houses. Ten different Garden Clubs in Huntsville & Madison spend the morning decorating every inch of the Burritt grounds, Mansion and church with their original floral designs.
The first Silver Tea took place in the Spring of 1985 when the need to fund projects not included in the Museum's general operating budget was recognized. The ARCHES (now known as the Burritt Museum Guild) decided that good food, fashions and summer flowers were a winning combination to emphasize the strengths and talents of its members. The community response was so great that the ARCHES members voted to make the event an annual fundraiser. In 1986, the Federated Garden Clubs of Huntsville and Madison County and the Huntsville Twickenham Rose Society joined forces in creating outstanding floral designs that have become a trademark of the Silver Tea.
Proceeds from the first Tea went towards the restoration of the circa 1870 Steinway grand piano in the Mansion and refinishing the mahogany dining room table. In the following years, funds were used to refinish, rewire and paint the Burritt parlor, acquisition of period furnishings and decorative arts in the Historic Park.
In 2004, nearly 300 women attended the 20th Annual Silver Tea. For more information about joining the Burritt Museum Guild or having your name added to the mailing list for next year's Silver Tea, call 256.536.2882.
