By Alyssa Esposito
Staff Writer

Fans and newbies came together on Friday to be a part of the first Tasha Tudor tea party at MeadowBrook Farm Bed & Breakfast on Friday.

With her Tudor collection displayed at this beautiful venue, local Tudor fan Lona McKinley planned the celebration in honor of what would have been Tudor’s 100th birthday.

Many know Tudor by the children’s book illustrations she created or the books she wrote. Some of Tudor’s most famous illustrations are in “The Secret Garden” and “Little Women.”

“I’m a big fan of her illustrations and her children’s books,” McKinley said. “She drew from everyday life.”

McKinley first became interested in Tudor when she was assigned a term paper on Tudor in high school.

McKinley hopes to use this event to kick off a new local chapter of the Tasha Tudor Museum Society. She has been planning for the tea party since March of this year.

About 15 people attended after McKinley had been in contact with the museum society and sent out dozens of invitations. These included friends of McKinley’s as well as people who had received a newsletter from the museum society.

Along with being a famous children’s author, Tudor was also known to be an avid gardener and cook. She also loved dressing and doing things as if she were living in the 19th century, even though she lived in the 20th.

“It’s a little bit like stepping back in time,” guest Susie Walters said of the party.

McKinley told the group her party was inspired by Tudor’s book “Becky’s Birthday,” which was about the birthday of Tudor’s daughter.

During the event, each of the guests told stories about how they came to be interested in Tudor. Many attendees knew of her by having grown up reading her books. Some had even had the opportunity to tour the grounds of Tudor’s home in Vermont.

Barbara Karski read “Becky’s Birthday” aloud for the group to hear. Refreshments included chicken salad, thumbprint cookies, brownies, birthday cake and punch that were all made from recipes in Tudor’s cookbook. Other foods included cucumber sandwiches, lemon squares and more.

“I’m delighted to finally have an event,” longtime Tudor fan Barbara Karski said. “I wish I’d met her.”

For those who are interested in getting involved with this new chapter of the society, contact Lona at ttudorfanva@aol.com.