Teatime at the Hampton Mansion by Bonna L. Nelson
I clearly remember four generations of my family’s ladies ~ grandmother, mother, my sister and I and my toddler daughter ~ leisurely sipping tea on the terrace at the glorious Hampton Mansion. The tables were covered with cornflower-blue cloths and adorned with crisp white linen napkins and blue-and-white patterned fine china. There was always a breeze as we sat in the shade of old trees on the commanding hill above the estate. We shared a luncheon repast of scrumptious chicken salad, spicy crab cakes and small beaten biscuits along with dishes of local fresh fruits
and vegetables. It was a communal experience that we joyfully participated in a few times a year, usually spring and summer, at the Hampton estate in Dulaney Valley, north of Baltimore. Our tea was usually followed by a stroll through the always beautiful Hampton gardens and browsing the aisles of its cheerful gift shop. I can’t clearly remember when and why we stopped visiting tea. Was it after my grandmother could no longer comfortably enjoy our special outing? Was it when my sister left for college? Was it when my daughter became too rambunctious and
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