Tea Party

Wow! If you weren’t at the Town Offices from 11:30 and 1:30 yesterday you missed quite a tea party. The venerable building is turning a hundred this year and the Historical Society with the help of the Historical Commission hosted a birthday party. Fifty vintage china tea cups were a highlight of the tea in the old dining room. David Ames spoke briefly about his childhood memories of the old place and David Colton talked of his enjoyment of one of the most unique town offices in America.

Mr Colton has been a big supporter of the building since becoming town administrator and has sponsored many improvements including a new coat of paint on the first floor this year. State Senators Kennedy and Joyce both attended and showed off their knowledge of Easton’s history in chats with the attendees. In fact the tea time chatter of the public, Ames family members, politicians and town employees was a highlight of the day that lasted long after the official end of the party.

The Historical Society provided a slide show of the building’s history and a self-guided tour of the mansion “back in the day.” The rain even held off to allow time for a brief tour of the grounds. A highlight of the display was the old book that mapped the first landscape plan of the 80 acre estate.

Town Office employees got to enjoy the party as well, and kept their rooms open after hours  for visitors. Kristin from the Board of Health never made it down stairs for tea because she put on display the log of the Great Flu Epidemic of 1918 which has just been opened under Massachusetts public records law. A steady stream of visitors looked back to find the names of family members or neighbors who had been quarantined with flu. The book also lists ages, occupations, addresses and attending physician. Kristin really knows her stuff and slipped in a push for getting your flu shot now along with the historical information.

If you didn’t make it to the party, you can come to the Historical Society’s museum at the Old Colony Railroad Station behind the Shovel Shop  this Sunday where all the handouts, and photos used at the party will be on display.  We’re open from 1-5 pm.

Special thanks to Hazel Varella for the idea and written material and to Melanie Deware and Joan Lundgren for the elegant tea.