Plymouth Historical Society

The charming city of Plymouth, MI is located 36 miles west of where I live.  My second post when I first started blogging in Jan. 2012 was about having Afternoon Tea at Sweet Afton Tea Room located in Plymouth.  The city is also home to TranquiliTea - a shop that sells tea and tea equipage [which I've also blogged about], as well as the Plymouth Ice Festival.

I was recently contacted by Elizabeth Kerstens, Executive Director of the Plymouth Historical Museum to be a guest speaker at their upcoming March 16th, Historical Society Tea, on the subject of J.L. Hudson's Department Store.

[Internet Photo]

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know I have a deep interest and fondness [along with countless other metro and urban Detroiters] for J.L. Hudson's, the beloved flagship store that once occupied a city block of Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. It permanently closed its doors in January 1983, and was imploded in October 1998, but it still remains alive in our hearts and memories.  Several of my blog posts have been dedicated to Hudson's.

I have a strong interest in Hudson's eateries, particularly the Mezzanine Tea Room, and have collected several items of memorabilia pertaining to it.

Below is my Hudson's display case at the Longacre House tea in Farmington Hills, MI last June.

I don't always get every Hudson's tea-related item that I want... I lost out on the Hudson's tea tin pictured below that was auctioned on e-bay, but it's fun collecting and getting as much as I can! ;-)

Ms. Kerstens said she'd be grateful for any publicity I could give to the event, so this post is primarily for readers who live in the Metro/Detroit area.  Below is a copy of what the museum has posted on their website.  It contains all the information necessary to attend. Hope to see you there! If you read my blog, please come up and introduce yourself.  I'd love to meet you!

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Mad Hatter Tea: "Dining at J.L. Hudson's" with Phyllis Barkey

Sunday, March 16, 2014, 2-4 p.m. Where: 155 S. Main Street Plymouth, MI 48170   Dining at J.L. Hudson's with Phyllis Barkey Phyllis's presentation is divided into three parts: Joseph Lowthian Hudson and his magnificent store; dining at Hudson's; shopping at the Grand Dame of Woodward Avenue. The presentation will follow a Victorian-style tea with a twist. We will be serving several items formerly served at Hudson's, including Maurice Salad and Cheese Bread, along with the Plymouth Historical Museum's signature tea, "Mary's Blend," a combination of almond and cherry flavors in honor of Mary Lincoln. Guests are encouraged to wear their craziest hat as there will be a door prize awarded. Phyllis Barkey's interest and appreciation for Hudson's was rekindled in 2011 when she wrote an article for a magazine publication about Hudson's Mezzanine Tea Room. She's currently working on a Hudson's cookbook. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members, if purchased by March 7; after that date, add $5 to the price. Tickets can be purchased at the Museum during open hours or below using Paypal. Ticket holders that come early can view the Museum's current special exhibit, "Vintage Project Runway." mad_hatter_tea.pdf