Downton Abbey Tea, Talk, and Tour

Since the past few posts have been out of sequence - yet all related to Downton Abbey - I decided to share Meadow Brook Hall's Downton Abbey Tea, Talk, and Tour that my girlfriend and I attended on Tuesday, February 23rd.

I've written numerous posts about Meadow Brook Hall, the home of Alfred and Matilda Dodge Wilson.  It was built in 1929, in Rochester, MI, and is the third largest historic house museum in the U.S. with 88,000 sq. ft. and 110 rooms.

This is the third year Meadow Brook has hosted Downton Days, and I've attended all three years. The mansion is beautiful, and I never get tired of seeing it.  Below are pictures my girlfriend took of me on the lower level of the mansion.  Photography isn't allowed in most of the rooms upstairs.

~ Lori and Me in the Great Hall ~

We arrived a little early so browsed the gift shop.  I bought the DVD below, and a silver bell that I envision Violet Crawley using to ring for Spratt or Denker! 

The tea began at 1:00 p.m. in the Christopher Wren Dining Room.  We were seated at table #5, and dined with two lovely couples who drove over from Holland, MI.  I always say, "You meet the nicest people over tea," and they were, indeed, lovely people.

~ Lori and Me ~

~ My tea of choice was Earl Grey, and the servers kept our teacups full. ~

Savories were: [beginning at the 12:00 o'clock position] Spinach Quiche with fire roasted Tomato-Pesto Cream; Curried Chicken Salad Canape with dried Fruit and Almond; Smoked Salmon on Pumpernickel Round with Caper Cream Cheese; Crispy Voulevant with Chevre and Fig Jam; and Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Canape on Whole Grain Crostini.  Everything was delicious, and Matilda would have been proud!

Desserts were:  Hazelnut Mousse in mini cosmo glass with Dried Cherry Compote; Blueberry Scone with Clotted Cream; Chocolate Dipped Strawberry; Palmier; and French Macaron.

When we finished eating my tea friend, Barb Gulley, presented an excellent 30 minute program about Downton Abbey.

[Barb and Me]

A tour of the mansion followed the presentation which included Mrs. Wilson's bedroom, and the servant's quarters. 

My eyes perked up when I saw inside a fancy display table in Mrs. Wilson's bedroom, a large newspaper ad from J.L. Hudson's Department Store congratulating her on opening the Wilson Theatre in 1928.  

It was a lovely event from beginning to end.  Thanks, Meadow Brook!