Patricia A. Buttaro
Colonial Tea Talk & Tasting
Brief history of tea, with emphasis on how and when it got to England and then to Colonial America. How tea drinking affected what other items were imported into Colonial America. What it meant to be invited to tea in Colonial New England and what was consumed at a “tea.” What teas the colonists drank, when and how they drank it. How the seeds of revolution were planted by a law unrelated to tea long before the Boston Tea Party, this year being the 250th anniversary, with an overview of the tea related laws. Then we will sample several of the same types of teas that were enjoyed by the colonists. There will also be a display of 18th century tea wares & accoutrements that will be talked about.
[Recorded August 12, 2023]
Patricia A. Buttaro, JD, is currently semi-retired from the practice of law and is an 18th century living historian, member of the Southeastern Civilian Living Historians, and a tea educator. Buttaro hand sews clothing in period correct manners and dresses in period clothing for all talks. Buttaro has attended several 18th century sewing workshops, as well as Northeast Georgia History Center’s Living Historian Workshop. Buttaro has been studying tea for 25 years, has a Level 1 Certification from the Specialty Tea Institute, and has completed numerous tea courses and workshops—including training from James Norwood Pratt, John Harney, Bruce Richardson, and Jane Pettigrew. Buttaro has done presentations at the Camden Rev War Reenactment in Camden, SC; Fraser’s Ridge Homecoming in Franklin, NC; Wormsloe Historic Site in Savannah, GA; SCA Gulf Wars in Lumberton, MS; and various private groups. Buttaro tailors each presentation to the audience and incorporate applicable laws when appropriate.
