Monday, August 17, 2015

Downton Downtown

Last month, I attended the ``Downton Downtown`` at the Whitehern Historic House and Garden, an event that celebrated the history and character of our favourite British period drama, Downton Abbey.

Whitehern was the historic home of three generations of the McQuesten family. 

We have the Honorable Thomas McQuesten--who was the Minister of Highways in the 1930s--to thank for the Ontario highways and bridges, most notably the Queen Elizabeth Highway and the Rainbow Bridge. You can read more about the McQuesten family here.

The tea-related merchandise sold by the vendors.

Visitors enjoyed refreshments and a dancing demonstration at the Whitehern garden.

A bottomless cup of tea for only $1?
Yes, please!

Cup of tea #1

Enjoying my cup of tea with an empire cookie at Whitehern garden.

This teacup with pretty roses replaced my blue teacup after a fly decided to take a swim in my tea--one of the dangers of enjoying tea outdoors!
This photo of the Whitehern dining room was taken when I toured the home back in 2013. The silver and china tea services were part of the estate`s original contents bequeathed to the City.


You can enjoy a virtual tour (with written and audio descriptions) of Whitehern here.

24 comments:

  1. Oh Margie, you've shared another fun outing with us! I like the idea of a bottomless cup of tea for a dollar. Your teatime under the trees looks like the perfect treat.

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  2. That is really sweet! I wish we have a Downton Tea in our Downtown too. It seems though that my city isn't really a tea city - they're more for coffee --- boo, lol... Thanks for sharing.

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  3. What an amazing event to participate in! Having a beautiful cup and saucer for tea time is so perfect. The garden is so lovely with the vendor tents. A great way to spend the day enjoying tea time and dancing! Have a wonderful week!

    Pam

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  4. What a pretty spot for a cuppa tea! I adore the American Beauty teacup and I long to find one of my own. Margie, you really do have some fun outings in your province. Our little province has only a few tea shops and most of them close in late Autumn. Thanks for taking us along. It's always an adventure to visit you!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. Sounds and looks like a wonderful event. The interior was a treat too!
    Thanks for sharing your day with us.
    Gina

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  6. How nice to have tea in a garden, except for the fly in your tea! Empire cookies are my favourite - have you ever made them Margie?
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

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  7. What a gorgeous place for a tea and visit!

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  8. I would have loved that. Great day out for you.

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  9. What fun! I would to have loved to attend! I love historic buildings! Looks like so much fun...fly and all! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  10. Delightful!
    Please come link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/double-play-on-way.html

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  11. I'd love to have tea and cookies in that lovely round table with the pretty crochet tablecloth.
    Love all the china pieces too.
    Thank you for your sweet comment.
    FABBY

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  12. Beautiful tea cups and love the setting for tea! Love the bottomless tea cup idea! Thanks for visiting!

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  13. It looks like you have had a wonderful time at your out side tea. I love those kind of tea parties. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

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  14. What a beautiful place and your photos are wonderful! My favourite one is the number 7 with the pretty teacup and the beautiful building in the background.
    It would be so lovely to be able to attend such events.
    Thank you for sharing and enjoy the beautiful August days!

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  15. Oh what a great event. Such terrific fun this was and I think they did a great job! Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Lovely place to visit Margie! The tea cups do look lovely all together. And a cup of tea for only $1 is a bargain, bottomless or not! lol. I have never heard of events like this, I would love to attend one.
    Thank you for sharing,
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  17. Thank you for sharing your delightful outing with us. A bottomless cup of tea for only $1.00! Wow! :)

    Enjoy the remainder of your week. Hugs!

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  18. Looks like a lovely location for a cuppa!
    Thanks for dropping by http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/double-play-on-way.html share.

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  19. Tea in the valley??? --> Coffee in the office!!!
    Nice shots of Downton Downtown!
    Regards from Germany, Uwe.

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  20. What a fun outing - tea with a Downton theme would be a winner! The teacup with the pink roses (American Beauty) is similar to one I have. One of my aunts collected that china and I always think of her when I see it.

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  21. Beautiful, this really looks like "my cup of tea!" :)

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  22. Hi Margie,
    Oh I would like to attend that Downton Downtown Tea Time. Such pretty teacups and endless tea for $1.00?! Great deal! Happy Tea Day! Karen

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  23. That looks like so much fun! I love teas in historic buildings..it adds extra ambience :)

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