Mad Hatter Tea Party in Northville, MI

When I arrived at Mill Race Village, I stopped at Cady Inn where the tea was to be held to take a few pre-tea party photos, then I went to the church to set up my hat display for the program which followed the tea.

The tables were set in keeping with the Alice in Wonderland theme.  They were three tickets shy of a sellout event.

 ~ Raffle Basket [left] and Door Prize [right] ~

Hats belonging to Vicky, the coordinator of the teas.

Notice the l-o-n-g hatpin below.  I told the ladies in my presentation that at the turn of the 20th century, hats were large and required giant hatpins up to 12 inches long to secure them on ladies' heads. At the same time, women began socializing unchaperoned, which made them vulnerable to the actions of undesirable men. Soon the hatpin became a weapon of defense and symbol of female empowerment.  After some injurious prickings, laws were passed to limit the length of hatpins.  As one Chicago politician said, "If women care to wear carrots and roosters on their heads, that is a matter for their own concern, but when it comes to wearing swords they must be stopped!" 

~ My hat display at the church ~

After I got all set up, I walked back to Cady Inn [a few doors away] and waited for the ladies to arrive.  I was asked to judge the hat contest and pick two winners 1] most unique and 2] best hat [prettiest].  Several ladies participated in the hat contest.

I LOVED the Jester hat below, and it was one of the top three in the most unique category.

~ The Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts ~

The young lady below is wearing her grandmother's hat and suit.  I know her grandma would have been proud if she could have seen her.

The winner for the most unique hat was Tillie, who decorated a top hat herself with things associated with Alice in Wonderland.  I didn't get a picture of the best hat/fascinator, but it was a beautiful black and white fascinator. Each lady won a ticket to the next historical society tea in May.

 

Below is Vicky, the caterer for the tea as well as the coordinator of them.

~  The tea meal was lovely.  ~

Sandwiches were Mad Hatter Chicken Salad w/Grapes on Cinnamon Raisin; King of Hearts Ham and Baby Greens w/Crasin Feta on light Rye; Catepillar Cucumber w/Chive Cream Cheese on Italian; and March Hare Egg Salad w/Olives on Wheat.

Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum Cream Drop Scones w/Orange Marmalade and Clotted Cream. Desserts: White Knight Lemon Crisp Cookies; Queen of Hearts Strawberry Jam Tarts, Unbirthday Chocolate Cupcakes w/Butter Marshmallow Frosting. Cady House Tea was served with the meal. 

At the church, the podium was almost as tall as me, so I didn't stay behind it for the whole program.

The ladies were a wonderful, attentive audience, and it was a delightful afternoon.