Museum celebrating history with a tea party

■ The event, which is scheduled for Saturday, is sold out.

The Siloam Springs Museum will be celebrating some of the more elegant traditions of the past with a Victorian tea party this Saturday.

The organization partnered with Inn at the Springs to host the party. The event will include delicious finger foods and tea, a short presentation on the history of tea parties and Victorian etiquette, a chance to make a Victorian paper craft and plenty of time for socializing.

The event was designed to take a look back at some of the more beautiful highlights of history and reflect on a time when people were more courteous and took time to slow down and socialize with each other, according to Karin Woodruff, director of education and public outreach for the museum.

The tea party generated so much excitement that tickets sold out 10 days before the event, Woodruff said. She hopes the enthusiasms is a sign the museum will be able to make the party an annual event.

When Woodruff started exploring the idea of hosting a tea party, the Inn at the Springs came to her mind as a perfect venue. She was delighted to learn that Rosemary Junkermann, owner of the business, has plenty of experience hosting tea parties as well as a collection of tea cups and pots.

Woodruff is hopeful the event will bring more awareness about the museum to the community and engage a new demographic. In the past, the museum has offered plenty of programming for children, but Woodruff said the organization is seeking to engage people of all ages, including young adults, through events like the tea party and Oktoberfest, which was held last fall.

The party is open to children ages five and up, but it is mainly targeted at ladies, Woodruff said. There are no dress requirements for the party, but many women have told Woodruff they are excited to have a chance to dress up and wear hats and gloves.

More information is available at www.siloamspringsmuseum.com.