Tea Time

 Last week I was invited to Tea at the Historic Tate Farm located a short distance from Gettysburg in the town of Hunterstown.  The Tate Farm was built in 1740 and was the family home for 250 years. The home has been restored along with 

many of the original outbuilding. The summer kitchen with walk-in fireplace, a grainery, spring house, carriage house, smokehouse, garden shed, outhouse, stable, and large barn with a cannonball hole in it. You are free to walk around and go into the different buildings. The gardens around the house are beautiful great for sitting and relaxing. 

The farm is now the home of Roger and Laurie Harding.

It is in their lovely home that they have afternoon Tea Lunches. Along with the wonderful food and tea they prepare for you they also tell some of the history behind both the Tate Family farm and the town of Hunterstown. In October of 1794 President George Washington had his horse shoes done at the blacksmiths shop located at the Tate’s farm. On July 2, 1863 Hunterstown was the site where the Union and Confederate cavalry collided head on.  This was an important battle, prior to the battles in Gettysburg.

They have furnished the home beautifully with 18^th and early 19^th century furniture.

The tea was held in one of the rooms off the kitchen in the main house. The table was elegantly set. 

Here is the menu of what we tasted.

White Chocolate & Apricot Scones with 3 different toppings 

Pumpkin & Black Bean Soup

Mixed Salad Greens with Strawberries, topped with Toasted Almonds and a Raspberry Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Followed by assorted Tea Sandwiches – Curried Egg Salad, black olive & cheese, Black forest ham with spicy mustard, and a red pepper cream cheese

Dessert was Strawberry Meringues 

 

The Featured Teas: Harney’s Paris Tea, midsummer Peach, and Caribe Tea

Everything was excellent. Laurie is a both a wonderful cook and hostess. Roger does the serving and tells the history.

The teas are done on Wednesdays & Thursdays along with Saturday & Sunday by Reservation only.   717-339-0903 

On June 30^th is the 7^th annual “Battle of Hunterstown” Walking Tour and Events. It’s a full day of history complete with Pig Roast and General and Mrs. Ulyssess S Grant. 

http://www.hunterstown1863.com/id31.html