In the grand tradition of great 19th century estates, Bethlehem’s Sayre Mansion will host a weekly afternoon tea this winter.
Guests will enjoy a “socially distanced traditional English tea,” featuring fresh brewed tea, delicate finger sandwiches, scones and decadent desserts, 2-4 p.m. Thursdays beginning Jan. 7 and continuing through March 25, according to a news release. Bethlehem’s Sayre Mansion will host a “socially distanced traditional English tea,” featuring fresh brewed tea, delicate finger sandwiches, scones and decadent desserts, 2-4 p.m. Thursdays beginning Jan. 7 and continuing through March 25. The recurring event, $25 per visit, will hearken back to a ritual among the upper crust of American society just after Robert Sayre moved into his home at 325 Wyandotte St. in the mid-1800s.
“Antique furniture, silver service trays and a crackling fire set the atmosphere for afternoon tea,” Trimmer said in the release. “We really channeled our inner Downton Abbey fan for inspiration when planning.”
During the afternoon tea, guests may be seated in the formal dining room or elegant parlor of the Gothic Revival-style mansion.
The Jan. 7 menu, created by in-house caterer Karen Hunter, will feature sandwich selections of salmon and curried egg salad, herbed chicken and cherry salad, cucumber alfalfa sprout and date and nut cream cheese.
Guests will also delight in a variety of tea scones, served with Devonshire cream and preserves, lemon almond Madeleines and miniature fresh fruit tarts. Bethlehem’s Sayre Mansion will host a “socially distanced traditional English tea,” featuring fresh brewed tea, delicate finger sandwiches, scones and decadent desserts, 2-4 p.m. Thursdays beginning Jan. 7 and continuing through March 25. The Sayre Mansion, which dubs itself “Bethlehem’s urban haven,” is a restored inn surrounded by century-old trees and offering “luxury and comfort” in 19 classic guestrooms and three spacious Carriage House suites, according to the business’ website.
“Sayre Mansion offers all the amenities of a modern hotel with a blend of old-world elegance and full corporate services,” a message on the website reads. “Each beautifully restored room is unique in design and appearance, but all come with a full, hearty breakfast and the gracious attention of our Bethlehem bed and breakfast’s staff.”
Built in 1858, The Sayre Mansion was the first grand residence constructed in the wealthy Bethlehem neighborhood of Fountain Hill and was home to Robert Heysham Sayre.
Sayre, chief engineer of Lehigh Valley Railroad, built the mansion close to the railroad, since he was a hands-on manager. The Sayre family lived in the house until 1907, when Robert Sayre died.
