We're excited to present our Literary High Tea series for the 2020 season! The schedule is as follows:
January 15: Paul Aron, Author. We Hold These Truths
Local historian and author, Paul Aron is a senior editor at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Previously he was a reporter for The Virginia Gazette and executive editor at Simon & Schuster. We Hold These Truths presents 54 historically powerful quotes from the country's founders and founding documents and provides rich narratives that highlight their astounding, and generally unknown, origins.
January 22: Nancy Sheppard, Historian. Murder and Mayhem in Hampton Roads
Dive into the story of cannibalism in the Jamestown colony and learn the gory details of the tale of the Witch of Pungo. Blackbeard and his men wreaked havoc in Hampton Roads before Virginians brought them to justice. Explore rarely told stories of lynchings, riots, and a hoax involving none other than famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. Join author and historian Nancy E. Sheppard as she explores some of the darkest moments in Hampton Roads' vibrant history.
January 29: Wilford Kale, Author. Reading Book Reviews and Fun
February 5: Edward Longacre, Author. George Armstrong Custer
February 12: George Morrow, Author. Patrick Henry. Unrepentant Slave Owner, Self-confessed Hypocrite, or Both?
It's the inside story of how the greatest lawyer that ever lived transformed himself into the man Jefferson called "the greatest orator that ever lived." An explanation for Henry's paradoxical defense of the ownership of slaves as a "convenience," an explanation that may yet cause historians to join the Quaker abolitionists in calling "very acceptable."
February 19: Ken Conger, Photographer. The Big Year
Wildlife photographer Ken Conger will present a buffet of spectacular photos captured during his 2019 international adventures to Kenya, India, and Argentina, as well as domestic trips to Florida, Oregon, South Carolina, and Wyoming. In 2019 Ken concentrated on capturing some unique images and accomplished photographing one of the rarest cats in the world, the black panther. Ken compliments his photos with stories, animal facts, audio, and short videos. The program provides a view of a wildlife photographer's world and the challenges taken to capture stunning wildlife images.
February 26: William Geroux. The Ghost Fleet of Archangel: The Arctic Voyage That Defied The Nazis
An extraordinary story of survival and alliance during World War II; the journey of four Allied ships crossing the Arctic to deliver much needed supplies to the Soviet war effort.
March 4: Pamela K. Kinney, Author. Virginia's Haunted Historic Triangle
Explore the spookier side of the Historic Triangle with author Patricia K. Kinney as she leads you through a haunting journey into the legends of our local specters.
March 11: Robert M. Saunders, Author. How to Evaluate a President
To provide a historical perspective of the success or failure of a President, the goals of the Preamble of the Constitution can be readily utilized: (1) form a more perfect union; (2) establish justice; (3) insure domestic tranquility; (4) provide for the common defense; (5) promote the general welfare; and (6) secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Mr. Saunders will speak on these, with a focus on George Washington and Woodrow Wilson.
March 18: Bly Straube, Archaeologist. Tenacious Women of 17th Century Virginia
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation curator Bly Straube will explore some of the little-known stories of Powhatan, English, and African women in the early 17th century Virginia colony through examination of museum objects, archaeological discoveries, and primary sources.
March 25: Helen Hamilton, Author. Gardening with Chickadees
The importance of native trees and plants to feed insects and birds.
TIME
For each event, doors open at 3:45 PM. Typically the speaker begins around 4:15 PM and the presentation lasts for 45 minutes to an hour with time put aside for a Q&A session with each speaker.
ORDERING ONLINE
1. Click here to visit our online sales site.
2. Click "Start Your Order." Note: We can take transactions even after hours. If you receive a notice that we are not preparing after a certain time your ticket sales will still go through.
3. Choose the dates and amount of tickets you would like to purchase.
4. On each ticket, if there are any dietary restrictions or if you would like to be seated with another guest, please note this in the Special Requests section.
5. Check out!
You will be receiving an email receipt of your purchase. If there is no need for clarification, you will be good to go! You may always call us at 757-229-0957 and speak to Chris, Debra, or Kiyra in regards to any High Tea questions.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
Refunds can be issued as follows:
More than a week out from date will grant a full cash or credit refund.
Cancelling within the week of the event will grant a refund in the form of a gift card.
We are unable to refund cancellations within two days of the event.