Friday, April 6, 2012

Afternoon Tea at the Halifax Club

This is the 150th anniversary of the Halifax Club. Originally a bastion for men only,  today women and men are members equally. It is a lovely old building, one of the few in the city that has retained it's character and is full of history, interesting art and curios. 
These chandeliers are made of hand blown Waterford crystal and were hung in 1910, I think. Aren't they lovely?

I was invited to tea here on Thursday,  their first "Afternon Tea" of the season. We had a grand time and the food was delicious. This is the room where we enjoyed our afternoon treat. Very British. There is a piano at hand and visitors to tea are encouraged to play it if they can, and are welcomed to read poetry aloud or tell tales and entertain each other as if it was their own salon.
Doesn't this plate look good? Asparagus &salmon sanwiches, cucumber & brie, egg salad, and tuna salad. Fresh made scones with pots of clotted cream and jam to slather on. Maccarons, two dainty pastries and some fruit. Your choice of tea as well! (because of my new vegetarian/dairy free diet, I did not have these delectable treats myself but was told they were fab!) They sure looked yummy!
Included in the tea is a tour of the building, with delightful tales about past members and stories about the art and curios. Just after the Halifax Explosion, many doctors from Boston and other places who came to help the injured stayed here. This cracked window was the only thing that sustained damage from the explosion and they have never repaired it, keeping it as a small memorial.
The building is fascinating and there is supposedly a resident ghost :) The sad result of a tragic event that happened here many years ago. You will learn about it on the tour:)
The teas are every Thursday from 2:30 until 4:30. If you are interested you can learn more here.
Also, on April the 11th they are having a special dinner in honor of the Titanic with a 5 course meal based on the First Class menu of the ship. I bet that will be quite the evening!
Oh, and as an interesting aside, two of Halifax's most illustrious citizens were never members of the club, Alexander Keith of beer fame, and Joseph Howe, our champion of Free Speech
 (seen reflected below). I actually really like this picture and was trying to think of a way to sneak it in! haha.

9 comments:

jkm2007@gmail.com said...

Reading about the Teas and anticipating the opportunity to partake in the 'ritual" and explore the historic building, I followed the link for more information. I was really disappointed to learn they stop a month before we arrive for our NS summer visit. Too bad, it would make an interesting addition to my and any visitor's Halifax experience. Judith

jkm2007@gmail.com said...

PS - I should have added that I always enjoy dropping by your wonderful upbeat blog. I enjoy both your great photos and the comments that often accompany them. Thank you for taking the time to share how you see the world.

Laurita said...

What a fabulous experience. Your photos are beautiful, and it looks like you had a very good time.

leendadll said...

great photos. i'd love to be in the salon when people are entertaining, as I stuff my face with everything but the tuna!

Sara said...

Great looking photos - looks like it was a good time...and good food.

christina said...

hello my friend,
it looks like such an amazing time.
xo

Anonymous said...

What a lovely event. Thank you for sharing. Anyone traveling to Halifax should be assigned your blog as required reading:) if they haven't already read it(and that's why they're going in the first place).

Mary said...

Oh my gosh! Having such a delicious lunch in such a magnificent place would really feel like Heaven! I love the chandeliers. The room looks elegant yet not overdone. I would adore it there. :)

Jacana said...

Amazing Pictures thanks for sharing