Fortnum & Mason: A Royal Legacy and a Personal Tradition

In the early eighteenth century a serendipitous alliance began between Hugh Mason, proprietor of a modest grocery shop in London's St. James Market and William Fortnum, footman at the court of Queen Anne. In addition to his royal services, Fortnum also had a side hustle of collecting half-burned candlesticks at the palace, remelting them and selling them back to the ladies of the royal residence.  When Mason became Fortnum's landlord, it wasn't long before the market owner partnered with his clever and well-connected tenant. In 1707, they founded what would become one of Britain’s most iconic retailers: Fortnum & Mason.

For over three centuries, Fortnum & Mason has served royalty and tea aficionados alike, including our own Barb’s Tea Service. Though our relationship with this esteemed establishment spans a mere fifteen years, the connection was immediate—sealed with the first pour from one of their elegant silver teapots.

Daughter, Rachel, and son, Matt, experience Fortnum & Mason's teas, during our London visit, 2015.

Our inaugural visit took place in 2011, when I accompanied my daughter, Rachel, to London just before she began a six-week study abroad program at Regent’s College. Alongside visits to historic landmarks such as the Jane Austen House and Kensington Palace, we embarked on a grand tour of the city’s afternoon teas, with Fortnum & Mason as a highlight. (In retrospect, the itinerary I planned seems one that any typical twenty-one year old college student would dream of . . . or , alas, their mothers, But, happy to report, Rachel was a gracious companion throughout.)

Less than a year after our visit, Fortnum & Mason was selected as the venue for a landmark royal outing: Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, hosted an intimate tea for 150 guests. This event marked their first joint public appearance, further cementing Fortnum & Mason’s status as a symbol of British refinement. (For more, see BTS blog, March 2012: Fortnum and Mason visited by the Queen, Camilla, Catherine and Barb and Rachel 

Wedding tea gift wrapped & ready. Breakfast tea for us.

 

Since that memorable introduction, we’ve returned to Fortnum & Mason on several occasions. The tea department remains a favorite, where visitors are invited to sample blends by inhaling the aromas from open-lidded glass teapots that dot the display counters. Even when not in London, we continue to enjoy Fortnum & Mason teas at home, often purchasing them through our local Williams Sonoma. This week, while selecting their “Wedding” blend for a very special upcoming celebration, we also treated ourselves to the “Breakfast Blend”—a delightful way to elevate mornings in the Gulley household.

Whether serving a British monarch or a humble tea blogger, Fortnum & Mason offers all the royal treatment at teatime.

A final note: a 43-second video from our 2011 visit recently resurfaced via Facebook memories. Though Rachel is less inclined to speak in public settings than her mother, she gamely took on the role of videographer. Her steady hand and reserved laughter captured a moment we continue to cherish (with unreserved laughter).

Confident Communicators Podcast event: Barb's Tea Service honored to be part of the panel!

Carol & Rik D. of Confident Communicators/Toastmaster with BTS podcast team, Barb & Chris G.

 

This week, Barb's Tea Service Podcast team -  Barb and studio engineer/co-host/ arm candy, Chris Gulley - was invited to be part of a four-person panel discussion on launching a podcast hosted by Confident Communicators/Toastmasters. This public speaking chapter is located in Washington, Michigan and the long-time passion of good friends Rik and Carol Durling, who extended BTS an invitation to have a seat at the table and share podcasting tips.

So You Want to Start a Podcast 

Held in the elegant banquet facilities of Shelby Gardens, the event titled “So You Want to Host a Podcast” welcomed both in-person and online guests. Ray Rivaro served as emcee and panel moderator.  We were joined by fellow podcasters Lisa Swiftney and Faris Alami, who bring their voices to the Rochester business community and international entrepreneurs, respectively.

Chris, Rik and Ray setting up for the Toastmasters' event.

After an early morning tech set-up with equipment supplied by both the Durlings and ONTV Studios, attendees were greeted at the door and welcomed to early morning refreshments, including cider, doughnuts, bagels and some incredible home-baked scones. 

Podcasters assembling before guests arrive.

Ray kicked off the event at exactly 8:15, introducing the panel and opening the floor to questions from guests in both the well-appointed meeting room and those plugged in from various locations in the U.S. (and a few international folks as well).

BTS Podcast team share tips and trials.

Together with fellow podcasters, we shared tips on "taking the podcast plunge", technical concerns, start up costs, and local resources. Although we all had different target markets, formats and schedules, we shared common goals for making podcasts work:  consistency, authenticity and audience engagement.

And, with all that, we add an emphatic, have fun, too!

Chris and I admitted our first podcast was a bit stiff and awkward, but with the instruction and support of the great folks at ONTV Studios in Lake Orion, we got over one of the biggest podcast hurdles:  simply getting started. 

We were honored to be invited to this Toastmaster event and share our enthusiasm for this social medium that serves as a vehicle for businesses, special interests, education and entertainment. Our thanks to Confident Communicators for including BTS as panelists and to all the attendees who are pursuing a podcast of their own.

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site: A historical home in Buffalo where one can converse with - and become - president!

Talking to the 26th President via "Holo Ted" at Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

If you could converse with a president from over a century ago, what would you ask? If you could be president for 15 minutes, what issues would you champion? At the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site in Buffalo, New York, visitors can do more than just speculate—they can actively engage with history through immersive technology and entertaining educational experiences.

Outside the Wilcox home, now a museum in Buffalo, NY

This week, we wrapped up our fall adventure to Niagara with travel companions Rik and Carol by visiting this historic home museum. After enjoying the Shaw Festival and the majesty of Horseshoe Falls, we stopped in Buffalo on our way home to soak in a few days of history and art. The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural House was first on our list (and twelfth on our BTS list of presidential sites*).

The library at the Wilcox home where Teddy Roosevelt took the oath of office.

Once the residence of Ansley Wilcox, a prominent lawyer and friend of Roosevelt, this grand home became a landmark in American history following the tragic death of President McKinley—shot at a public reception during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. Vice President Roosevelt was summoned back to the city, and upon his return, a member of McKinley’s Cabinet suggested he take the oath of office at Wilcox’s home, where he had recently been a guest. Roosevelt agreed, and on September 14, 1901, in the library of the Wilcox home, he became the 26th president of the United States.

Beautiful dining room set for an elegant repast.

Roosevelt’s presidency ushered in the Progressive Era, marked by trust-busting, consumer protection laws, and the expansion of the national park system. Today, the site of his inauguration is a museum and fittingly part of the National Park Service. We joined one of the afternoon tours, led by a knowledgeable docent who guided us through the elegant dining room and the historic library where Roosevelt took the oath. Then came a delightful surprise upstairs.

Here, we met “Holo Ted”—a life-sized reenactor hologram powered by AI. Standing in the corner of a back room, the projection of Teddy Roosevelt was ready to interact with visitors. Carol asked what he considered his greatest presidential achievement. He responded with those listed above —and, being a politician, added a few more for good measure.

Carol asks Roosevelt about his presidential accomplishments.

We were fortunate to be among the first to experience this captivating exhibit, as “Holo Ted” had only recently debuted at the site. Guests took turns asking questions, and Roosevelt answered each with personality and precision, embodying the spirit of the Bull Moose Party.

President Rik at the White House non-oval office. 

To top it off, we were invited back downstairs to a room designed to replicate Roosevelt’s White House office, a rectangular space, predating today’s iconic Oval Office. We were invited to sit in the presidential chair and select a cause to support. With my undergraduate degree in Political Science, it felt only natural to take a firm stand on the pressing issue of naming the family hamster.

As president, I set forth the official name of the family's hamster.

Our visit to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site was thoroughly enjoyable, and we appreciate Carol adding it to the itinerary. As much as we got out of the museum, we can only imagine how inspiring it would be for young learners. Kudos to this historic home and museum—or, to borrow Roosevelt’s own phrase, “Bully for you!”

In a fun coincidence, exactly seven years earlier to the day (October 1st), we were in Canton, Ohio with my brother Ed and sister-in-law Sandy, visiting the McKinley Library and Museum. Blog story in the future! 

Seven years ago to the day, we visited the McKinley Library in Canton, OH.

* To date, we have visited eleven presidential homes/libraries. Although, this TR Inaugural Site is neither a presidential home nor a library, we add it to our list due to its tremendous historical significance and we have over thirty more to go!