Special to the Sun
Tea was a favorite beverage in 19th century Massachusetts, savored by men and women alike for entertaining and relaxing.
Join the Gibson House Museum in Boston and Forbes House Museum in Milton as they welcome visitors for a joint program of enjoying and appreciating tea.
Visit the Gibson House on Saturday, April 6, at 11 a.m. or Sunday, April 7, at 4 p.m. for an engaging tour that explores the world of tea through the lens of 19th century domestic life and global trade. Then, join the Forbes House on April 21 for an afternoon tea service at 2 p.m., complete with assorted teas, scones and cakes.
“There are many stories and themes we don’t often get to explore on our house tours, so we are thrilled to dive into the 19th century world of tea in partnership with the Forbes House,” Said Sarah Hagglund, museum and program coordinator at the Gibson House Museum. “This program is the perfect opportunity to show just how well our museums pair together.”
The Gibson House Museum, located at 137 Beacon St. was home to three generations of Gibson family members and their household staff between 1859 and 1954. The museum preserves the 19th-century rowhouse and its collections, relating the lives of the Gibson family and their employees in a way that resonates in the 21stcentury.
“We’re excited to partner with another independent house museum that highlights how 19th-century stories can continue to appeal today,” said Heidi Vaughan, the Forbes House Museum’s executive director, in a press release. “The Gibson House tour is a terrific complement to our afternoon tea on National Tea Day.”
Built in 1833, the Forbes House Museum at 215 Adams St. in Milton has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966. The house belonged to four generations of the Forbes family, who were prominent in the 19th-century China Trade and also generous philanthropists and avid collectors. Inspired by the family legacy, the museum fosters discourse around civic engagement and cultural awareness.
Tickets are $50 for members and $60 for non-members and include both the house tour and afternoon tea. Space is limited; tickets are available at www.thegibsonhouse.org/events.