RELATED: 200-year-old Crabill House a testament to hard work
Tea drinking arrived in the Americas with the colonists from England and the Netherlands who brought this custom with them from Europe. In 1765, the British government began imposing a tax on tea, beginning to fund their recent wars in Europe and North America. The unhappy colonists, in protest, smuggled tea or drank herbal infusions. Outraged merchants, shippers, and colonists protested, eventually leading to the famous Boston Tea Party in December 1773.
After the Revolution, Americans once again happily resumed the conviviality of gathering around the family tea table. However, it was not until the mid-1800s that “afternoon tea” first appeared. England’s Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, introduced the practice in 1840 to sustain her in the late afternoon before dining at the fashionable hour of 8 p.m. She ordered a tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake to be brought to her at 4 p.m. that she shared with her friends, thus popularizing taking tea as a refined social custom.
RELATED: Springfield couple restore long abandoned historic home
On June 17, a celebration of taking tea will take place at the home of David and Barbara Crabill. This home was built in about 1820, being made from bricks fired on the site. It is a fine example of Federal architecture that was popular throughout the early American republic and is one of the oldest homes in Clark County. The house replaced an earlier log structure that was the first home of the Crabills, who settled in this place having traveled from Loudin County, Va.
The homestead rose above a prosperous farm lovingly named Fairview and was surrounded by a barn and out-buildings that eventually included 1,100 acres of farmland and a prosperous blacksmithing business. Twelve children were raised in the six-room structure.
This well-restored home was almost destroyed to make way for the Clarence J. Brown Reservoir. However, it was rescued by the Army Corps of Engineers and the home is now under the management of the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association. Although it is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, all funding for the preservation of this historic structure is obtained through donations and fund-raising events such as this opportunity to enjoy taking tea. Tax-deductible donations to support the preservation of this home can be made at any time and are greatly welcomed.
To help in the preservation of this historic home, join us on Saturday, June 17, for a celebration of tea at the Crabill Homestead. A selection of tea, scones, appropriate sandwiches, and President Jefferson’s favorite salad will be available. The home will be populated by persons of the past to complete the atmosphere of traveling back in time. Artisans of the past will be available to display and sell their wares, including The Little Basket Shop, Friendship Farms Goat Milk Soap, and Madam Suzanne’s Millinery Fashions, where you can choose that perfect hat for the occasion.
There will be 2 seatings that day, with the first seating at 10 a.m. and the second seating at 2:30 p.m. Tickets to attend the tea are $20 per person and reservations are required. All proceeds will be used for the preservation of this rare gem of a historic home.
Reservations can be made by mailing your payment to GRCHA, PO Box 1251, Springfield, Ohio 45501. Please provide your name, the seating you wish to attend, and the number of seats you wish to reserve. Also, include your contact information with your payment should any questions arise. You can also reserve your place on line at www.crabillhomestead.org and following the link found there. As seating is limited, we encourage you to reserve your place soon. If you have any questions, contact the Crabill Homestead through the web page or by calling either 937-882-9216 or 937-390-3608.
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