Travel back in time with the "Tea Time in Eighteenth-Century Philadelphia" exhibit and see what was locally used to serve afternoon tea during the 18th century.
The exhibit focuses on furniture and tea paraphernalia popular in the Philadelphia area during the 18th century. Six different tables with various rare antique place settings were donated by local contributors, said Richard Pencek, retired assistant professor of kinesiology and American studies.
Docents will be at the gallery throughout the day to explain the display if needed, organizer Helen Manfull said.
Pencek has had this particular exhibit in mind for more than a year. Producing it was a matter of finding the antiques and recruiting students from his class to help. Pencek was able to recruit help from three students, and the exhibit has become a collaborative effort between all of them, he said.
Manfull said she thinks that this showcase will be of "particular interest" to people in Pennsylvania because everything is from the state. Pencek hopes the exhibit will generate interest with younger viewers as well and help them to build upon their knowledge about their community.
The students and Pencek have collected many unique historical pieces for their showcase. Three of the six tables presented are called "tip and turn tables" because they can be turned 360 degrees and tipped on their side so that they're no longer in the way.
The exhibit also showcases a chair dating back to 1710, a piece in remarkably good condition for its age, Pencek said.
Aside from the furniture, there are numerous intriguing place settings. Pencek believes that the piece that will draw the most interest is the Paul Revere teapot, dated 1787.
"It was probably created as a commemorative piece of the signing of the Constitution, because there are three other teapots that were created in the same year, which is unusual," Pencek said.
Along with the furniture and tea settings, the students and Pencek have arranged for distinguished guest Chip Henderson to speak on Wednesday, Oct. 7. He owns a home in Womelsdorf, Pa., which is filled with 18th-century antiques.
Also, in affiliation with this exhibit, "Victuals and Vicissitudes of Early New England," will be on display at the Centre Furnace Mansion Oct. 1 through Nov. 22. "Moments of Change: The Late Eighteenth Century" will also be on display.
Organizers wanted to create an educational exhibit different than the past two Borland exhibits, which both featured photography, Pencek said.
"We're going to see how this exhibit goes, and see what they can try again because to have this gallery and not have it be used would be terrible," Pencek said.
