A memorable Jane Austen afternoon: BTS presents an Austentacious Tea at Bacon Memorial Library

Barb's Tea Service: Barb G. & Megan O. at Bacon Memorial Library and the Bacon Ford home

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a library, with the good fortune to be in possession of a lovely Victorian home, must be in need of an afternoon tea.

This past weekend, Barb's Tea Service presented an "Austentacious Tea" at the Bacon Memorial District Library for a room full of guests as charming as the venue. A unique feature of this library - located in Wyandotte, a "Downriver" city eleven miles south of Detroit - is its literal connection to the Ford Bacon home, an elegant turn-of-the-last-century abode with many of its original features including wood paneling and dentil molding. 

The front parlor quickly became both the presentation and tea room.

Our first time to Bacon Memorial Library, we - BTS' newest team member, Megan O. and myself -  were given a quick tour of the presentation room in the main building and then just up the stairs and through another door, to the attached grand home. This is where the library had set up a buffet of tea snacks. 

Instantly enamored with the historic home, we wondered if we couldn't make it work for both the presentation and hot tea serving. Megan assessed the layout quickly and declared it was possible with just a little furniture rearranging. 

Incredibly, within an hour & some Meg-ingenuity, the front parlor was ready to seat almost 2 dozen guests.

Although the front parlor wasn't terribly large, it had a lot of curves and nooks, which Megan adeptly took advantage of by tucking a few upholstered chairs and small table in an alcove by the staircase and shoring up bench seating along the front window. Then, pulling a pretty mishmash of dining tables and chairs from assorted spaces nearby, Megan relocated them around the room's center and further expanded the parlor's footprint to the hallway for even more seating. 

A bright and open utility room served as the perfect place for teacups, teapots and teabags.

Our presentation "screen" was the panel just above the fireplace and directly behind the parlor was utility room, bright and open, just perfect for teapots, teacups and teabags.

Almost ready to serve up tea.

In less than an hour, we had our tea brewed and the parlor ready for our guests. It was an extraordinary group and we enjoyed getting to know many fellow Austenphiles, including Victoria F.. It was a treat to meet her  in person - we had connected over social media -  and her niece, Stephanie.

Victoria F. and niece, Stephanie. A treat to meet these Austen fans in person.

It was a delightful afternoon and while we shared details of our Austen-related travels, BTS' newest team member served up the tea, and with a bit of Meg-ingenuity, turned the parlor into a perfect event space, the amazing possession of Bacon Memorial Library.  Good fortune, indeed!

A library in possession of a lovely Victorian home is good fortune, indeed!

Thanks to Kelly R., librarian, who invited us to the Beacon Memorial Library and all the amazing folks who attended our Austentacious Tea!