Garden parties have become a marvelous social activity for those living in small towns in the United States. In New Harmony, Indiana, the Minerva Society, a women’s literary group often had garden parties. There are a few famous garden parties in this country. The Palace Garden Party of Williamsburg, Virginia is one. However, these gatherings did not originate in America. Photo of The Minerva Society Garden Party, New Harmony, IN 1873 Garden parties for the nobility were started in England during the 1860’s by a lonely Queen Victoria whose husband had passed in 1861. The attendance at these parties for the elite of London society numbered in the thousands. This was also a time families used for their debutante daughters to be launched into society. Wide brimmed hats decorated with flowers, long dresses and parasols fit the formality of these “gigantic” tea parties on the lawn. Men wore their top hats and cut-away long jackets with spats on their shoes. The garden party was to change when Elizabeth was crowned Queen in 1952. She wanted the attendees of these parties to be more than just the nobility. She sought to have the parties more democratic, inviting members of the public, especially those who had given notable contributions or had performed charitable work or public service. By 1958, the parties had changed to include many of non-nobility status. It gave Queen Elizabeth a chance to mingle with her supporters from different walks of life. There is a dress code for the English garden parties. A day dress and hat or fascinator is required for the ladies. A fascinator is a lightweight scarf of crochet or lace. (I had to delve into the dictionary to discover what that was!) Gentlemen wear a lounge suit or morning dress. The garden party is by invitation only. With New Harmony’s beautiful gardens and spacious areas, a local entrepreneur has been holding magical garden parties. Mary Beth Guard and her husband, Michael, have given garden parties where the food is scrumptious and the program is enlightening. So instead of just wandering around socializing and admiring the gardens while having finger sandwiches and tea, (as is done in England) full meals are served with a flair. After the food is served, knowledgeable speakers share information depending on where and when the party is held. At the Earth Day Celebration, people were invited to walk the natural ground maze at Ben Nickleson’s after the dinner and speeches were completed by Tom Guggenheim, Charlie Gaston and Ann Ferguson who wore a long dress with a wreath of fresh flowers in her hair. Fires were lit as night approached so that people could gather around them for warmth. It was pleasant camaraderie with friends one seldom sees and an enjoyable way to meet new people. Photo of the Nickleson’s maze A celebration of the Blossoming Peonies was held right in the peony gardens. The day was perhaps the hottest day of the season, muggy with temperatures in the 90’s. If you did not wear a hat, a bevy of hats and parasols were provided. How does Mary Beth think of everything? There was a wonderful presentation by Kathy Fidley who tended the peony gardens for years and told us how to plant and care for peonies, and another talk given by John Martin giving his own personal history of working in the gardens. This was at the breakfast garden party. Another party was held at noon on the same day. I understand that due to the heat, the tables were moved under the trees to provide shade. 1st Photo Kathy Ridlley speaking at the Celebration of the Peonies Garden Party 2nd Photo of peonies and elegant table setting The garden party is more than a backyard cookout. It is elegantly set tables adorned with flowers. It is a time that gives a country girl a feeling of refinement. It is a perfect way to spend pleasant time with others. How amazing is it that we have Mary Beth and Michael Guard who reintroduced the magic of the Garden Party to New Harmony? Watch for future garden parties. They will be special. Ann and Cecile Michael Pollan writes in The Omnivores Dilemma: “The single greatest lesson the garden teaches us that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum, and as long as the sun shines and people can still plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world.” [email protected] ©Ann Rains June, 2021 *All photographs provided by MB Guard with the exception of the last one which was taken by S Hersch.
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