An Eleanor Clay Ford Birthday Tea

Amidst all the wonderful Platinum Jubilee Celebrations taking place across the pond [and around the world], a friend and I attended a birthday tea for Eleanor Clay Ford [wife of Edsel Ford, executive of the Ford Motor Company] at her home in Grosse Pointe Shores yesterday. Her official birthday is June 6th, but the tea was held a day early.  She would have been 126 years old.  She died at the age of 80 in October 1976.

The tea was held in the second floor banquet room of the Visitor Center which opened in May 2021.

A photo of Eleanor hangs on the wall as you enter the Welcome Center.

There were three seatings:  12:00 Noon, 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM.  Our seating was at 12:30 PM but those who were at the 12:00 o'clock seating weren't rushed out and were still enjoying their tea when we arrived.  It was a very well attended event.

Since Eleanor lived in an era where women wore hats when they went out, and since this was a tea, my friend and I wore a hat.  Several other ladies wore a hat or fascinator too.  Perhaps they were inspired by all the beautiful hats and fascinators seen at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities. Hats are definitely alive and well in England!

Photos line the wall at the entrance to the banquet room.  The photo below is Henry and Clara Ford and Edsel and Eleanor Ford at Henry and Clara's 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration in 1938. The party was held at Edsel and Eleanor's Grosse Pointe home.

~ Linda and Me ~

~ Seated at our table for two ~

Menu cards were at each place setting.

Our tea order was taken first.  We chose organic Earl Grey by Bigelow Tea.

Next came our tiered server [or tower as we call them at The Whitney].

Tea Sandwiches and Savories were:  Cucumber, Turkey, and Egg Salad, Maine Lobster Salad in a Profiterole, Chicken Salad in a Filo Basket and Salmon on a Roll.  They were all very tasty.

The delicious Strawberry/White Chocolate Scone was served with Strawberry Preserves and Whipped Cream.

Desserts were Lemon Curd Cup with Blueberries, a Traverse City Cherry Mousse Cup, a Salted Caramel Truffle and a Cookie Dough Truffle.

Several years ago, I was told by a Ford House Executive that Eleanor wasn't a tea drinker, but I think she would have been very pleased with this tea party given in her honor.  It was lovely and I'm so glad I was able to attend.

An unexpected and pleasant surprise was getting to see Amy and her friend, Julie, at the tea party.

After the tea we rode the shuttle to the mansion for a self-guided tour of the residence.  It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Ford!