Continuing a longstanding tradition, the Creston Museum’s Old-Fashioned Tea returns Aug. 11, this time with a historic twist — a visit by suffragette Dorothy Davis, reappearing 100 years after her first visit to Creston.
Members of Footlighters Theatre Society will present a skit featuring Davis, the most recent in a series of theatrical presentations at the tea. Key of She will also join the fun, singing a couple of songs, including Sister Suffragette from the film Mary Poppins.
“When we did the Anne of Green Gables tea in 2008 and had skits from the book — people loved that,” said museum manager Tammy Hardwick. “There were none last year, and people missed them.”
Volunteers came across a reference to Davis’s 1912 visit to Creston around the time of last year’s tea, and her inclusion in this year’s was an easy decision.
While the tea will retain its usual format — tea or lemonade and dainty sandwiches, followed by squares and desserts — guests can get a little more involved with the topic of suffrage. If they choose, guests entering the tea will receive a quote from a historical Creston figure to read during a debate/discussion portion.
“Everyone I’ve talked to about it just loves this idea,” said Hardwick. “Either they’re, “Rah rah for women’s votes,” or, “No damn way.’ It’s all in good fun, so anything anyone says wouldn’t necessarily be indicative of their own opinions.”
Hats, signs and banners will also be available for guests to wear and wave.
The discovery of Davis’s visit to Creston happened solely by chance — very little was printed about it, as the editor of the Creston Review was likely not a supporter.
“He published two letters from Dorothy Douglas and that’s it,” said Hardwick.
Admission to the Old-Fashioned Tea is $8, which includes a free tour of the museum. Seatings are at 1, 2 or 3 p.m., and it is recommended guests make reservations by calling the museum at 250-428-9262.
