Historic fashions will be on display and inspired arrangements will be auctioned as a fundraiser for the museum in West Hartford.

Submitted by Sarah Mocko St. Germain, Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

(c) Bradford Museums and Galleries; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation. Submitted image

The public is invited to afternoon tea at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 2-4 p.m. Hosted with the West Hartford Garden Club, all funds raised will help support a new outdoor patio space at the museum.

Six rarely seen dresses from the 1840s to the 1920s that are in the museum’s collection will be on display. Each will inspire a floral arrangement that complements the elegant table settings. The arrangements will be auctioned off at the end of the program.

Refreshments will include savory and sweet morsels and tea both hot and cold. After tea, Tracy Weed will give a brief presentation on Fashion from Victorians to Flappers.

“The museum has an excellent collection of historic dresses that very rarely see the light of day,” said Curator Sheila Daley, “It will be nice to be able to show them off.”

Executive Director Jennifer Matos agreed, saying, “We’re so fortunate to have a long-term relationship with the West Hartford Garden Club. We’re looking forward to seeing the club members’ vintage fashion inspired floral arrangements.”

Tracy Weed is a photographer, jewelry designer, and romance novelist with a passion for vintage fashion. She began studying antique clothing when she started vintage dancing. She fell in love with vintage clothing immediately and now creates reproduction hats and clothing for the Regency Era through the 1950s. Her jewelry can be found at www.thetinywren.etsy.com.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at www.NoahWebsterHouse.org. Fancy hats and gloves are encouraged.

The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society is a cultural destination where citizens can learn to understand and appreciate the past. The museum preserves the birthplace of Noah Webster, the founding father, educator, author, and lexicographer who taught generations of Americans what it means to be American. This National Historic Landmark is also a repository for West Hartford’s history, the community that molded Noah Webster’s future, and is still thriving over 250 years later. The historic house and exhibit spaces are open daily 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. For information on the museum’s extensive school and public programs, please visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org or call (860) 521-5362.