Once a month Lady Anne's Vintage Tea Room on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown hires two women to host a Victorian tea re-enactment.
 |
| Faith Turner
Photo by Charla Schnupp |
The re-enactors, best friends Charla Schnupp of Floral Park and Faith Turner of Farmingdale, follow a prewritten script
that is a continued story line and dress in period costume and talk about period happenings.
"The script is an ongoing story, though most of the best parts are improvised in the moment; we always recite poetry, play
parlor games, discuss the history and sometimes we include a time period song," Schnupp explained.
"Though to be honest we usually adlib a lot; we are off script most of the time because we love throwing one another curves,"
Turner added.
Although they have no formal acting experience, both women have been involved in re-enacting Medieval and Renaissance for
several years.
"For the past three years I have also been re-enacting the Civil War and WWII with my husband who is also a re-enactor,"
Schnupp said.
After passing Lady Anne's on Hempstead Turnpike several times, Turner said she was extremely intrigued. After their first
visit they pitched their idea to Girly-Ann, the owner of Tea Room.
"We had wanted to do a Victorian re-enactment group tea but when she offered to hire us to host teas for her this was a
wonderful opportunity," Turner said.
In addition to the show at Lady Anne's, Schnupp and Turner have their own company, Living History.
"We host private events, baby and bridal showers, adult and child tea and birthday parties in any time period or in fantasy
dress," Turner said. "Additionally we offer dressed educational lectures to school children of all ages."
Their next event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Lady Anne's Tea Room has been decorated with antiques, bone china, flowers and linens. They offer diners an assortment
of tea sandwiches, scones, salads, sweet pastries all served on decorated cake tiers. They can accommodate large and small
parties. Walk-ins are welcome, however reservations are recommended for weekends. Their Gift Shoppe offers table lace, candles,
photo albums, stationery, cards and journals, home decor, unique gifts, china, home fragrance and jewelry.
"You'll also find beautiful teacups, teapots, Lang cards, handmade cards, gorgeous wreaths, dried florals and decorative
accessories, from Victorian elegant country, to shabby chic," its website boasts.
For more information, Lady Anne's Vintage Tea Room & Gift Shoppe is located at 3711 Hempstead Tpke., 750-8283, www.ladyannesvintagetearoom.com.
For more information about Living History visit https://livinghistoryservices.tripod.com/.
