Letter to the Editor – Camellia Tea Recreates Another Century

We have been driving up from Aiken to Edgefield for the annual Camellia Tea at Magnolia Dale every year since we moved to South Carolina from Virginia 9 years ago.  The Edgefield Camellia Tea is an absolutely charming event that recreates for us the ambiance of another century and a sense of a more civilized time.  The historic house is a perfect setting for the tea which is served in the traditional style in small glass cups from a silver tea service.  Lump sugar and lemon slices optional.  All the tea sandwiches and other delicacies are handmade by the ladies of the camellia club who seem to vie with each other to produce the perfect tea time things to eat.  The buffet is presented perfectly in the formal dining room of the house and the individual china or glass plates are even accompanied by embroidered little linen napkins.  Camellia flowers are displayed in all the rooms.  Everything is amazing!  We love it! Congratulations to the Edgefield Camellia Club for maintaining this exquisite tradition.  Best wishes for many more wonderful Camellia Teas to come in the future.

Elizabeth Cummings