Tuesday Tea and Tomes: The Personal Librarian, the incredible story of Belle da Costa Greene who curated J.P. Morgan's private library (and a connection to Lady Mendl's too!)

The Personal Librarian based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's Librarian

Belle da Costa Greene's story is incredible and it's not only because, at the young age of 26, she left her job at Princeton's library to become J.P. Morgan's personal librarian, securing some of the greatest treasures for the Gilded Age financier's private collection, but she achieved all this while keeping secret her true identity:  she is black, but passing as white.

The Morgan Library houses incunabula and other treasures

The Personal Librarian is historical fiction based on Belle Marion Greener, who, with a slight adjustment  of her name and a fabricated Portugues heritage, masks her identity in plain sight. Authors, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, do an excellent job of narrating Belle's rise in the realm of learned curators and ambitious collectors while navigating the incongruous worlds she straddled -   Gilded Age excess and the almost insurmountable limitations imposed by segregation. 

J.P. Morgan's study includes an imposing portrait of the Gilded Age banker

I first heard of this book two years ago, just shortly after it had been published. My neighbor, Therese, knew I was a fan of the Gilded Age and highly recommended it. I added it to my list, but received a huge reminder in March of this year, when, along with family, I visited the Morgan Library (in search of Jane Austen letters) and, in the gift shop, The Personal Librarian, was featured prominently. I snatched up a copy along with a tea tin filled with "Mr. Morgan's Tea" - another connection to Belle da Costa Greene. It's a Harney blend of Assam and Keemun, which, per the tin's label,  Mr. Morgan and his librarian drank together.

The desk in the study of J.P. Morgan

Belle da Costa Greene acquired a love for Renaissance art and, a new word for me, incunabula (books printed before the 16th century) from her father, the first black graduate of Harvard. Her intelligence and negotiating skills were so admired by J.P. Morgan, he treated her as family and friend.  He introduced her to high society and her quick wit and charm found her a favorite at parties hosted by the Vanderbilts and other wealthy New York families. And, while Belle enjoyed the socializing and trips to Europe her job and employer supported, she could never escape the fear of being "uncovered" or the nagging self doubts of betraying her true race.

Tea at Lady Mendl. It's namesake was friend to Anne Morgan

But, not everyone was in Belle's corner. There was one Morgan who was not fond of Belle and that was Anne, the youngest daughter of J.P. Morgan and the only sibling not married. She kept company with ladies who were referred to as having a "Boston Marriage", a Gilded Age euphemism for a gay relationship. One of Anne's friends in this society was Elsie De Wolfe, also known "Lady Mendl". And, yes, the Lady Mendle tearoom we visited in March, just a short walk from the Morgan Library, was once the home of Elsie De Wolf, actress, interior designer and comrade of Anne Morgan.

The dome of the rotunda that connects the Library to the study

Belle's biggest fan and admirer was surely her employer. J.P. Morgan thought so highly of Belle that in his will he left her $50,000 (approximately 1.5 million in today's dollars) along with a stipulation that she remain as the Morgan Library librarian for at least one year. She lasted more than another twelve months. Morgan died in 1913 and Belle retired from the Library in1948, after 43 years in the job she was passionate about.

One of three Gutenberg bibles in the Morgan Library

In 1924, J.P. Morgan, Jr,, also known as Jack, opened the Morgan Library to the public and Belle oversaw the expansion of the original footprint to include an Annex for exhibits (when we were at the Library in March, the Annex hosted a Beatrix Potter collection). The brownstone that Jack lived in with his family, a present from his father in 1904, is now home to the Morgan Library dining room (which does offer afternoon tea!) the gift shop, and a conservation center. 

The Dining Room at the Library

100th anniversary of the Annex

The original structure included J.P. Morgan's study, an enormous room filled with rare manuscripts and a large imposing portrait of the investment banker in a Cambridge red robe. The study borders a rotunda which connects to the library, home to many incunabula, including three Guttenberg bibles, and the office of the Librarian. The latter was once the domain of Belle da Costa Greene, an impressive work space worthy of her meticulous work and priceless contributions.

Outside the Morgan Library

The Morgan brownstone

The Morgan Library is a treasure (more to come on that) and, after visiting the New York museum, we have an even greater appreciation for all it holds and the woman, who had the daunting task of building an impressive collection while sacrificing her own identity. A story that inspires as well as saddens, we benefit from a legacy that came with a price, one that even the Morgan's millions couldn't buy.

Morgan Library gift shop, a reminder of recommended reading.

More on to come on the Morgan Library and we're going back next year (an upcoming scoop!). 

Barb's Tea Service presents an Austentacious Tea at Commerce Township Public Library: Jane Austen, scones and many "best companions"

BTS' Twinings tea, but not Wedgwood cups

Barb G. and Barb T. at Library tea

Last week, Barb's Tea Service presented an Austentacious Tea at the Commerce Township Library. Along with a Jane Austen tea talk, BTS served up Twinings tea, accompanied by a table of delicious sweets provided by many of the Library's guests. And, unlike Fanny Price, who in a crowded carriage, finds her own thoughts to be her best companions, BTS was delighted to be acquainted with a room full of fast friends. 

Adult Services Librarian, Alexis S. & BTS' Pam B.

Queuing up the teapots 

A shout out to dear tea friend, Barb T. who connected us with Adult Services Librarian, Alexis S., earlier this year, and made this event happen. BTS team member and tea selection consultant, Pam B., and I met Alexis back in February at the Commerce Library and we were impressed with both its parklike setting and interior spaces. 

Scones and cookies from Library guests

BTS team ready for JA tea!

Last Thursday, the Library's meeting room was filled to almost capacity with many attendees bringing in a favorite tea time treat. There were scones (and lemon curd!) and a variety of cookies. (A special thank you to Diane S. for the "ridiculously easy lemon raspberry scone recipe").

Barb T. with friends

A room filled with "best companions"

Aside from Barb T., there were a few other familiar faces, including Jerry and Linda P. who we met two months ago at our Bridgerton Tea at the Bloomfield Township Library. Jerry was also the winner of one of BTS' "Twelve Etiquette Essentials:  Formal Dining and Afternoon Tea" books. (He employed the "Price is Right" strategy, by "not going over" 😃).  

Jerry (one of the BTS book winners) and Linda P. 

Pat (right) with friend daughter

Among the other great guests that we met were Pat, who was joined by her well-accessorized daughter and friend. In addition, we were delighted to learn that another guest had been in Bath, England the same time my husband, Chris, and I were there last fall.  We realized we may have crossed paths near the Austen home I stayed at in October, No. 4 Sydney Place.

With much commendation and approbation to the Commerce Library event - it was wonderful afternoon filled with best companions, indeed!

The full quote from Mansfield Park is:  "Her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions."  Another thanks to Barb T., who not only connected us to the Commerce Library, but gifted me with a Jane Austen mug with that special JA quote!

Warren G. Harding Home and Library (Number 7 in our Presidential Homes and Library Quest): Teapot Dome and lesser known Big Potato

Portraits of Warren G. and Florence Harding meet guests in the lobby of the Presidential Library

Warren G. Harding: 29th President, 8th Presidential Home/Library, 7 out of 40-ish to go. . . 

The U.S. has had 45 presidents, but with Grover Cleveland serving two non-consecutive terms, Joe Biden is POTUS no. 46. I have a goal of visiting as close to that number of presidential museums/libraries as possible and this month, with our stop in Marion, Ohio, home to Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence, I'm up to eight such sites for seven different Commander-in Chiefs.  And, as I have found with all such historic places, the Warren G. Harding Home and Presidential Library was well worth the trip.

The Harding Home. Warren and Florence Harding were married in the parlor. 

As part of our "solar eclipse extended weekend" in northern Ohio, we added on other close-by outings to our temporary homebase of Findlay. Since our early "Saturday Arrivals" team is comprised of history buffs (husband, Chris, friends Pam and Quint and son-in-law, Sean and daughter, Rachel - the latter of whom also shares the "presidential sites quest"), we eyed two presidential homes within an hour's drive of our hotel (thanks, Pam, for the preplanning!). We chose the Harding Home for our afternoon tour -but, Rutheford B. Hayes, we'll get you next.

Apparently, we weren't the only folks who thought to enhance their solar eclipse experience. The Harding Home was bustling. In fact, our tour guide told us, they had never been so busy. (But, I hasten to add, "Harding Home busy" is not "Rush-hour-in-Manhattan-busy".  Instead of the standard ten people allowed through the home at one time, they allowed fourteen.)

Sean and Rachel on the front porch, site of the Front Porch Campaigne

Aside from all the logistics tales, the interesting part is, most assuredly, the history and artifacts associated with the 29th President and his wife as told by their home and library. 

Probably most of us know Harding by the "Teapot Dome Scandal" and the rather dark cloud of a shady administration. What was new to me, however, was that all the negativity surrounding Harding came after he died when details of fraud and corruption were exposed. 

Sadly, the scandal with the pleasant-sounding title (I mean, who cannot love a "teapot"?) involved Harding's Secretary of Interior, Albert Fall. He leased out two of the government's biggest oil reserves, one being the Teapot Dome, to private companies for significant personal gain. 

Tour groups during eclipse weekend reached up to fourteen at a time

How much Harding knew of the behind-the-scenes shenanigans is a debatable topic, but there are many, including our tour guide, who also point to the President's strengths: his charisma, gift-of-gab and, good looks.  His wife, Florence, was also a contributor to his success in both running a newspaper as well as running for, and securing, the presidency.

Chris stands alert in security shed

Standing in WGH's footsteps

Reluctant to travel to promote his candidacy, Harding adopted the rather convenient "Front Porch Campaign" where he stayed local and supporters came to him. As the name implies, Harding gave speeches from the front porch of the home that he and Florence built - and were married in - thirteen years prior to the election. From July through October of 1920, the Hardings received over 600,000 guests who spilled way beyond the home's front yard and into the streets. Today, visitors can see the imprints of Harding's feet in the center of the wraparound porch where he stood making his speeches to the crowds.  (That, of course, lead to a photo op).

Fellow history buffs outside the Presidential Library

Our afternoon included a one-hour tour of the interior of the Harding Home; a Victorian-era residence, that, I found surprisingly, not exceedingly big or heavy-handed in decor. In fact, the Harding's master bedroom, is brightly attired in yellow wall coverings and linens with Birdseye maple furniture. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed and a further disappointment,  no Warren G. Harding home souvenir book available at the gift shop, so I'm describing by memory only.  On the plus side, though, I did pick up a WGH tea mug and a bookmark with Florence's waffle recipe, so a few tangible reminders to take home.

Harding's favorite meal was a waffle topped with chipped beef and gravy. During the Front Porch Campaign, waffles were consistently on the menu. Florence's recipe was published in women's magazines with glowing reviews. The Harding Library now hosts an annual waffle breakfast using Florence's original recipe - we missed it by a week. 

The Press House, remarkably built in two days, housed the press during the 1920 campaign.

Next to the house is a small building known as the "Press House".  A remarkable mail order kit from Sears and Robuck, it was built in two days and housed the members of the press during the 1920 campaign. 

Big potato, a favorite with students of Political Science 

Across from the home is the relatively new Warren G. Harding Library, completed in 2021. It welcomes visitors to the front lobby with two large portraits of President and Mrs. Harding in attractive 1920's fashionable attire. From there, guests can experience the Harding story through documents and belongings of the family, ranging from serious to somewhat silly. There's a large faux potato from Idaho Falls on display - a gift from the residents when Harding visited there in 1923. I'll let you decide which category that figures into, but Rachel and I felt it worthy enough to snap, independently of each other, a photo of it and send out in family group text (met with mixed reviews, btw). We're both Political Science undergrads, so we share an interest in history, government, and curiously, the odd potato.

Mother and Daughter with shared interests, including Presidential Homes/Libraries Quests

We're very glad we made the Warren G. Harding Home and Presidential Library part of our extended weekend:  a stellar stop as part of a solar showcase.

Souvenirs from WGH gift shop include tea mug and Florence's waffle recipe 

Final countdown, we're at eight Presidential Homes/Libraries (that is our strict criteria; homes or libraries, other places of interests, e.g., where a President stayed or dined, doesn't count) for seven presidents. As noted in our President's Day blog  this year, we've been to the following:

• Mount Vernon:  Washington
• Hyde Park, NY and the Little White House, GA:  FDR
• Hermitage, TN:  Jackson
• Gerald Ford Library, Grand Rapids, MI:  Ford
• Taft Home, CN:  Taft
• McKinley Home and Library, Canton, OH:  McKinley

We can now add the Harding Home to the list, potato and all.

Govenor Croswell's Tearoom: After telescoping, scoping out tea time (with telescope ties!)

Governor Croswell's Tearoom in Adrian, Mi

After a telescope-focused weekend, we were ready to scope out a new-to-us tea room. Governor Crosswell's tea room not only brightened our day with great food, ambiance and service, but we discovered it, too, has telescope ties.

On our return trip home from Monday's solar eclipse viewing in Findlay, Ohio, we took a leisurely drive home the next day with a slight detour west and stopped at Govenor Croswell's Tearoom in Adrian, Michigan. It's been on my list of tearooms to visit in my home state, and this week we finally did - and it was worth the detour.

Enjoying afternoon tea fare including sweets, savories and scones.

The tearoom resides in a century-plus old building that, over the decades, housed many different retailers specializing in hats, jewelry and home decor before Al Wilkerson, a native of Adrian, and his wife, Phyllis  purchased it in 2010. Per the tearoom's website, it was the Wilkerson's dream to create a venue that provide a "china and linen" tea experience. 

The named it after another Adrian resident, Charles Miller Croswell, the 17the Governor of Michigan from 1877 to 1881.

Cozy spot for tea in the front bay window.

We arrived shortly after the doors opened and were greeted warmly by Justin who told us we could chose our own table. It was tempting to sit at the very front where two small tables occupy a cozy space in the big bay window, but we selected a table in the center to get the full view of the tearoom's Victorian decor.

A "china and linen" experience still prevails.

High ceilings showcase bright glass chandeliers and walls are painted a soothing sage green punctuated by similarly colored linen napkins on dark tablecloths. (The only distraction was the smattering of Christmas wreaths and garland that are hung on the walls and crown molding, respectively.) Tables are set with a potpourri of colorful china, ready for teapots and three-tiered trays to be ordered and served.

From the menu, one can order a variety of lunch options: sandwiches, soups, quiches and salads. No surprise, I ordered the "high tea" which offers a typical "afternoon tea" selection of scones, sweets and savories. My husband, Chris, chose the tea sandwiches accompanied by a house salad. 

The tea menu is extensive, but, again, no surprise, I ordered a pot of Earl Grey (a pot is included in the "high tea" option).  But, Chris, tried their house special, a black spice tea which he really enjoyed.

Three-tiered tray of tea treats.

A pot of tea comes with "high tea".

The tea fare was delicious - the scones were biscuit-y, but light and tasty. The cream and curd are both made in-house and were amazing. The cream was more buttery than sweet, an excellent blending of flavors.

Lemon curd and cream made in-house and delicious!

Tea sandwiches were also more traditional, including cucumber and roast beef.  The dessert tier was a mix of fruity pastries, but my favorite was the chocolate mousse in a chocolate teacup shell.

The top tier offered two squares of quiche which were okay, but the sandwiches, scones and desserts were the stars.

Plane Wave makes telescopes.

Telescope viewing for the eclipse.

After our wonderful repast, we wrapped up our tea time telling Justin about our solar eclipse outing in Findlay, Ohio. He shared with us that the new owners of Governor Croswell's are a group of investors from Plane Wave, maker of high end telescopes and just down the road from the tea room. 

Governor Croswell's tearoom.

Perhaps it was destiny ( destintea?) that brought us to this lovely tea room with telescope connections after our telescope-utilizing weekend. A perfect way to cap off a weekend of excitement that could not be eclipsed. 

Solar Eclipse viewing in the Path of Totality: Totali-tea Awesome!

Solar Eclipse in the Path of Totality:  Dark sky midday in Findlay, Ohio

This past Monday, April 8th, a solar eclipse took place and with a year of preplanning, and a lot of support from like-minded family and friends, we traveled just a few hours south to Findlay, Ohio to witness an incredible show in the path of totality - or, as we like to say at Barb's Tea Service, the path of totali-tea (and we've got the tea to prove it!).

Day turned to evening, putting on a spectacular show

However one refers to this awesome phenomenon, it doesn't come too often. In fact, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen in the contiguous United States won't occur until August of 2044. So, with the path of totality within a two-hour drive, we signed up for a long weekend of activity sponsored by the Oakland Astronomy Club, a well-organized group of telescope geeks to which my husband, Chris, is a member.

Solar Eclipse Eve:  Team assembled for pizza and sunglasses

What happens during a solar eclipse?  In short, it's when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. When the Moon blocks all of the Sun's light, it's a total solar eclipse. And, if one wants to experience total darkness, one needs to be in the path of totality which is why we traveled south. In Findlay, Ohio, we took in four minutes of inky darkness, starting at 3:10 in the afternoon. 

Chris setting up telescope with camera and computer

But, there was more to the show and more to the weekend for us. We were joined by our "local family" (our children in Michigan) and good friends which made it even more of a party. Before the sun-gazing Monday, with a few extra days to settle in, we celebrated April birthdays in a historic hotel and toured a presidential home (future blogs!). But we officially kicked off Solar Eclipse Eve at our hotel dining room with the full team assembled.  Points of order:  pizza, assorted gifts and the distribution of protective eclipse sunglasses. The required T-shirts and eclipse chipse were to follow.

High Tech and Low Tech

Cereal box design inspires a LaCroix box "knock off"

For the big day, the Astronomy Club had reserved a campground exclusively for members and their guests. Accommodations were perfect - lots of room to spread out and clean facilities. With a picnic-like setting, we plunked down chairs, blankets, coolers and bags of snacks while Chris set up his telescope. 

Our group combined high tech with low tech (Cheerio's box viewer inspired a copycat version from a LaCroix carton).

Solar Eclipse T-shirts to commemorate the occasion.

During each phase of the eclipse, starting at the first phase seen in our location at 1:56 until it's final conclusion at 4:26, the Club's  "town crier" bellowed alarms and countdowns. It was like waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve, but with a lot more calm and, at point of impact, perhaps a bit more dignity. It was excitement combined with a bit of reverence. We were witnessing nature's spectacular show and all we had to do was observe.

Checking telescope and camera for optimum eclipse viewing

As the sky got darker and the Moon bit bigger chunks of the sun, the temperature took a radical dip (almost ten degrees) and the birds got quieter and flew about, taking a mistaken cue from nature that it was time to get ready for the evening. 

It was "awesome" - a word commonly overused (and, yes, guilty as charged), but in its truest sense, this is the apt descriptor for the solar eclipse. 

Picture taken with Chris' camera attached to his telescope shows corona and flairs

And, although it's critical that one wear protective sunglasses leading up to the eclipse, during the total darkness phase, one can view the sun without protective glasses. In addition, the telescope can pick up the corona and it's fiery, red-purple solar flairs, not ordinarily visible.  Add a camera to the telescope, as Chris did, and those images can be snapped up for continued analysis and awe-invoking reactions.

Solar eclipse swag, chocolate bars didn't make the return home

Eclipse kitsch:  During solar eclipse weekend, I amassed quite a collection of souvenirs to commemorate the occasion:  eclipse chipse, eclipse candle, eclipse T-shirt, eclipse tote bag and two chocolate bars (the last items didn't make it back home).  I also purchased some solar eclipse tea (another future blog), with a label that boldly states, "taste the darkness". (Oh, eclipse tea, you're on!)

Eclipse tea boldly states:  "taste the darkness"!

Along with these treasures, the biggest takeaway was, of course, seeing the total eclipse in the path of totality, with tech geeks, family and friends - and certainly, there's a lot of overlap there.  

So, yes, I'm going to have to say it:  the solar eclipse experience was awesome, totally awesome!