A Titanic High Tea

This event is SOLD OUT. However we occasionally have people trying to sell their tickets so please do consider adding your name to the wait list.

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

- Henry James (1843-1916), American-British Author

 

Come aboard with us on June 26 for a sumptuous Titanic-themed high tea (no, it’s not your traditional afternoon tea) at the lavish Priory Grand Hall on Pittsburgh's North Side.  Our tea will feature authentic Edwardian menu items, including several that are known to have been served on board the ill-fated ocean liner.  We'll enjoy a presentation by Deborah Popp Gilbert, Vice President of the Elizabeth Township Historical Society and Britsburgh board member, about the fashions of the era.  Our special guest speaker, Eileen Enwright Hodgetts, notable British-born local author of the bestselling The Girl on the Carpathia and The Girl in the Lifeboat (to be released in Summer 2022), both novels about the RMS Titanic, will will talk about "The Titanic on Trial - the Aftermath".  Eileen's talk will deal with the inquiries following the sinking on both sides of the Atlantic and their long range impact, a rarely covered aspect that completes the Titanic story.  Eileen will also share some details about the filming of her play, "Titanic to All Ships" about the US Senate hearings (working title: Unsinkable), filmed here in Pittsburgh!

 

 

 

 

Myth Busted: Although many here in the States think of a "high tea" as a fancy afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and jam, and assorted pastries, that's not actually right. Although it may still incorporate all those things, a high tea is usually served at the dining table and includes more substantial, with hot items. if you are interested to know the history please visit this Britsburgh Forum article - What Is the Difference Between Afternoon (or Low) Tea and High Tea?   

 

At our Titanic High Tea at The Priory Grand Hall, in addition to the usual dainty tea sandwiches and scones, you will savour authentic Edwardian British hors d'oeuvres, including Devils on Horseback and Vol au Vents; Potage St.-Germain; Ham and Cheddar Quiche accompanied by Asparagus Salad with Saffron Champagne Vinaigrette; and for dessert a Victoria Sponge Bite and Mini-Chocolate Éclair duo! See Menu below. A cash bar with an authentic Titanic-era cocktail for purchase will also be available.  So come with plenty of appetite, a high tea is a substantial meal!

 

Members login and register for $50 tickets; Non-Members $65

 

For more information, contact Kim Szczypinski of Britsburgh at kimberly2859@msn.com

 

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS:

 

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts is a distinguished and much traveled writer. Brought up in England and Wales, she has also lived and worked in South Africa and Uganda and now, along with her husband, Graham, makes her home in the Pittsburgh area. For ten years she directed a humanitarian mission in East Africa and is also involved in a Ugandan Coffee Farm. Eileen's life experiences allow her to use exotic backgrounds for her novels and to understand how an adventure can begin with just one small incident. Much of her writing reveals not only her great fondness for the British Isles, but also her British sense of humour, which still sees the funny side of most situations.  In addition to her Titanic novels, Eileen is the auther of the Toby Whitby World War II Murder Mystery series and the Excalibur Rising Arthurian Saga series. Eileen is also an accomplished playwright with a number of national awards to her credit. Her stage play Titanic to All Ships, based on the US senate investigations into the sinking of the Titanic, won national acclaim. A major movie (working title Unsinkable) is in the works based on her play.  Her bestselling novel The Girl on the Carpathia tells the story of the aftermath of theTitanic tragedy weaving factual events with fictional characters as the official inquiries seek to determine who is to blame for over 1,500 deaths. A second Titanic novel, The Girl in the Lifeboat will be released in Summer 2022. When she is not writing novels or movie scripts or staging theatre plays, she is exploring the art of cheese-making or riding her e-bike.

 

Debbie Popp Gilbert, a retired reporter and managng editor of community newspapers for 35 years, turns her story-telling skills from current events and people to those occurring in the past.  Prompted as a child to read every historical marker, her appreciation for history has developed into a passion to encourage others to learn about and respect family heritage, local history and preservation.  As Vice President of the Elizabeth Township Historical Society, she draws from the society's clothing collection from 1890-1970 to illustrate fashion talks about the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the Titanic, World War I, the Roaring 20s, the Queen Mary, and World War II.   She is a member of Britsburgh's Board and serves on its Executive Planning Team.  Debbie and her husband, Vaughn, enjoy travel and have frequently visited the UK, including, many times, Yorkshire, of which they are especially fond.

 

 

 

MENU:

 

Passed Hors D'Oeuvres:

     - Devils on Horseback (bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Stilton cheese)

     - Edwardian Stuffed Eggs

     - Vol au Vents (mushroom-filled puff pastry)

 

Scones (platter per table):

Lemon and Poppy Seed Scones served with Clotted Cream, Lemon Curd and Orange Marmalade

 

Soup:

Potage St.-Germain (Spring Pea Soup)*

 

Assorted Tea Sandwiches (platter per table):

     - Bacon & Cream Cheese with Scallions

     - Curried Chicken Salad

     - Fig & Goat Cheese

     - Salmon & Cucumber 

 

Entrée

Ham & Cheddar Quiche

 

Salad Accompaniment:

Aspargus Salad with Saffron Champagne Vinaigrette*

 

Dessert Duo:

Mini-Chocolate Éclair* & Victoria Sponge Cake Bite garnished with fresh fruit

 

Unlimited assorted selection of hot teas served with milk, honey & sugars

Regular and decaf coffee & creamer 

 

Cash bar including optional Roman Punch* cocktail (tentative) available for purchase.

 

Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options available (indicate preference with registration).

 

*denotes menu item that was actually served on the Titanic

 

 

Programme:

 

• 2:30PM - 3:00 PM   Gather and mingle.  Cash bar open.  Passed hors d'oeuvres.

• 3:00 PM-4:15 PM    Afternoon High Tea is served.

• 3:45 PM- 4:15 PM   Debbie Gilbert presents The Fashions of the Titanic Era

• 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM  Eileen Enwright Hodgetts: Titanic on Trial-the Aftermath

• 5:15-5:30 PM          Q&A

 

Vintage fashion collection and Titanic-related artifacts on view throughout the evening. 

 

 

 

 

 

Free parking in The Priory Grand Hall's parking lot and on-street parking is available.

 

Tickets: Members $50; Non-members $65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explore fascinating British-themed topics with the guidance of experts and enjoy the company and conversation of fellow enthusiasts as a member of Britsburgh. Members enjoy programs on topics such as the Arts, Beer, History, British Mystery, Literarature, Theatre, and Tea. among others. If you are not already a member, we would like to invite you to consider becoming one. To become a member, visit the Britsburgh membership page.

 

Britsburgh supports COVID-19 Vaccination. Save lives and get vaxxed! For information on how to get yours visit CDC.GOV

 

CDC recommends using county COVID-19 Community Spread Levels to help determine which prevention measures to use for individuals and communities. Currently, Allegheny County is at a “medium” community spread level. The CDC does not recommend mask mandates or proof of vaccination at the medium level. 

 

COVID-19 policy: We are not currently requiring proof of vacination or testing. If the Community Spread level reaches RED then we will inform you and require a vaxination certificate or a negative antigen or PCR on the day. Ticket refunds will NOT be made just because our COVID policy changes! 

 

 

THE BRITSBURGH TEAM