Downton Days at Meadow Brook Hall: Afternoon tea and talk

Downton Days at Meadow Brook Hall - we've left the Edwardian era for the Roaring 20's.

Last week, Barb's Tea Service presented a Downton Abbey-inspired tea talk at Meadow Brook Hall - our fourth year at this beautiful venue. This year, we replaced our full-length Edwardian gowns for "roaring twenties" fringe and higher hemlines to reflect the times-they-are-a-changing for Downton Abbey.

Replacing long gowns for fringe and shorter hemlines

Roaring 20's at MBH's roaring fire in the great hall

A sold-out event of almost ninety guests, the dining room was filled with Downton Abbey-enthusiasts, many dressed in period attire.

Sold out event with almost 90 guests who received the royal treatment from Meadow Brook Hall's expert staff.

After the guests were treated to a sumptuous afternoon tea, which included both sweets and savories, Barb's Tea Service presented the story of Downton Abbey, providing a quick summary of Seasons One through Six of the television series to land firmly in 1927, the time of  last year's feature-length movie. 

The theme of the movie involves the Downton Abbey residents, both  upstairs and down,  preparing for a visit from the King and Queen of England. Guests at Meadow Brook Hall could relate as they were given the royal treatment from this elegant venue's staff.

Afternoon tea table set with Carson and team precision

Dining tables were set with fuchsia flowers in silver vases and silverware was placed with the precision of Carson and his team. Although a full array of utensils was not required for afternoon tea, we did spot the whole set of serving ware from Matilda Dodge Wilson's collection on display in the hallway, including a fish knife and fork (covered in detail in Twelve Etiquette Essentials: Formal Dining and Tea Time).

Silverware from Matilda Dodge Wilson's collection, with fish fork and knife (for more see BTS's book on dining etiquette)

After the tea talk, guests were given a tour of  Meadow Brook Hall by a team of expert docents, one of whom shared a photo of Lady Edith which could be a twin of Matilda Dodge Wilson, whose portrait hangs in MBH's entryway, in the late 1920's.

Barb's Tea Service was thrilled to see old and new friends in attendance and enjoyed meeting so many Downton Abbey fans!

Barb T and friends!

Daneen R. and friends attend DA afternoon tea at Meadow Brook Hall

There's a lot of buzz about a second Downton Abbey movie and, like many of the Meadow Brook Hall guests, we're hoping it materializes. It may indicate what we'll be wearing to Downton Days next year. Hope to see everyone back in Rochester's own Highclere Castle in 2021!

A special thanks to special tea friend, Barb Tabb, for the photos of her group and the dining room!

                                                                Tea time photo at MBH featured in British Tea Magazine