FULL HOUSE … Guests fill the museum’s room for tea, as every table is occupied during the Antebellum Christmas Tea on Saturday afternoon.
PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
PERIOD CORRECT … Events planner Doris Piercefield stands with Museum Director John Swearingen as both greet guests in period attire for the Antebellum Christmas Tea.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Museum of Fulton County welcomed guests on Saturday, November 29th at noon for its Antebellum Christmas Tea, an event that blended festive holiday tradition with the museum’s newest Civil War exhibit. Attendees filled the museum to capacity, creating a full and lively atmosphere for the afternoon gathering.
According to business manager and events planner Doris Piercefield, the tea was designed to complement the museums recently opened exhibit on the Civil War.
She explained that the museum strives to connect its themed events with the history showcased within its galleries, which led to the idea of an antebellum style Christmas tea.
Dressed in period clothing, she greeted visitors as they arrived for what has quickly become one of the museum’s most popular holiday offerings.
Guests enjoyed a traditional English style tea service featuring scones, finger sandwiches, desserts, and multiple tea courses served throughout the afternoon.
Piercefield shared that visitors had traveled from across the region, including areas in Michigan, Toledo, and Sylvania, to attend the sold-out program.
The afternoon also included a presentation on Elizabeth Van Lu, a well-known Union spy who aided northern efforts during the Civil War.
Piercefield portrayed Van Lu in a reenactment during the program while sharing the spy’s remarkable story and her contributions to the cause.
Tea parties have been a long-standing tradition at the Museum of Fulton County, with similar events held for roughly fifteen years.
This year marked the second Christmas themed tea, and Piercefield noted that it is expected to continue annually. Because the event fills quickly, she encouraged anyone interested to watch the museum’s website for next year’s ticket availability.
The Antebellum Christmas Tea offered visitors an inviting mix of holiday warmth, local history, and Civil War era storytelling, giving guests a memorable seasonal experience at the museum.