From the library: Tea party to celebrate Edith Abbott's birthday

Happy birthday, Edith Abbott!

Next Sunday Sept. 28, 100 third- and fourth-grade young ladies will arrive at the library all dressed up and ready to celebrate the birthday of library namesake, Edith Abbott, who was born  Sept. 26, 1876, in Grand Island. The event, now in its seventh year, was developed to help local children become better acquainted with the remarkable Miss Abbott and her important life work.

A Victorian tea party format was chosen as the perfect teaching tool because, not only do little girls like tea parties but it is a fun way for them to experience firsthand the strict social protocol of the 1890s, when Miss Abbott was a child.

Growing up in this controlled atmosphere undoubtedly made an impression on young Edith as did her mother's active support of rights for women and children. At the end of her professional life, Miss Abbott had achieved national prominence for her work as a teacher, writer, social researcher and activist.

More can be learned about her life by visiting "Edith Abbott," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Abbott, or "Edith Abbott, Social Service Administration," www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/spcl/centcat/fac/facch21_01.html.

A collection of Abbott family pictures, mementos and documents as well as books and articles Edith and her sister, Grace, authored can be found in the Abbott Sisters Research Center located in the Heritage Room of the library.

Girls who attend the tea party will enjoy learning some Victorian tea time etiquette and will want to give it a try as they sample their tea time treats. They will also make handheld fans and will discover fans were not only used to keep Victorian ladies cool but to send silent messages to friends and acquaintances alike. Visit "The Fan," www.geocities.com/heartland/woods/3501/civilian10.htm., to learn more about this intriguing practice.

Attendees will also play several children's games popular during this era including a guessing game that will help them identify items that were used in Victorian homes. A final activity, journaling, or recording thoughts and feelings in diary format, will end the day.

Tea parties are not just for children, however, and actually originated as far back as the mid-1600's when Catherine, wife of Charles II of England, held parties so elegant they required the formal dress of a state event. Find "A Brief History of the Tea Party," www.ellenskitchen.com/bigppots/plan/recep1.html, to learn more about these gala affairs. In time, the idea of afternoon teas and tea dances caught on and had the dual purpose of "tiding one over" until dinnertime, a meal traditionally served late in the evening. By the 1880s, tea parties were also common in America and Edith must have attended many such events.

Girls interested in hosting a tea party of their own will find some tried and true tips on the Internet at "Tea Time Traditions," http://seedsofknowledge.com/teaideas.html, "Tea Parties for children," www.gardenpartyteas.com/page/379094, and countess additional sites.

They will find suggestions and resources for a variety of themes, dainty foods, dishes, games and whatever else is required for a successful event. The children's book collection at the library can supply even more terrific ideas. My personal favorites include "The Tea Party Book," by Lucille Penne, and "The Totally Tea-riffic Tea Party Book: Teas to Taste, Treats to Bake and Crafts to Make from Around the World," by Tanya Napier.

However, if you don't wish to go the tea party route and need a more practical reason to brew up a pot of tea, check out "The Green Tea Book: China's Fountain of Youth," by Lester Mitscher. Science has concluded that, in addition to its delicious taste, this particular variety of tea has true health-promoting qualities which have made it a favorite drink for more than 4000. When you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you may enjoy experimenting with a few of the unique recipes in "Green Tea: 50 Hot Drinks, Cool Quenchers and Sweet and Savory Treats," by Mary Lou Heiss.

Do enjoy!



Merry von Seggern is the children's librarian for the Grand Island Public Library.