By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD
News & Journal Editor
Two special events are scheduled at Philippi’s Adaland Mansion to welcome guests for the opening of the holiday season. This stately mansion home built in 1870 has been authentically restored to reflect its rich Civil War era history. Already decked for the holidays, visitors will notice upon reaching the main door a signature ‘della Robbia’ wreath and door fan, reminiscent of early Colonial Williamsburg!
Adaland has been using this theme at its entry for many years, a custom made popular in 1930’s Williamsburg when Christmas décor utilized fresh fruits and vegetables, dried flowers, herbs and natural, native greens for festive building entrances. The traditional ‘della Robbia’ style holiday wreaths were inspired by eighteenth-century engravings.
Adaland invites guests to come and enjoy not just the holiday ambience but to take part in two upcoming November events – a High Tea and Royal Tea on Sunday, November 13th at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively … and Adaland’s Thanksgiving Day Buffet Dinner on Sunday, November 20th with seatings from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Both the four-course high tea and the five-course royal tea will feature homemade finger foods along with a never-ending pot of hot tea! High Tea will offer warm scones, fruit and tarts, sandwiches and meats, and desserts and pastries; and Royal Tea will feature more added savories along with a complimentary glass of champagne.
The Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner will include all the traditional Thanksgiving foods – ham and turkey, a variety of side dishes, salad with Lucy’s secret dressing, homemade breads, and an array of delectable desserts. The buffet dinner will be spread on the formal dining room table where guests will be treated to that room’s themed Christmas tree plus red cardinals peeping out around the room and on the mantel. When guests take their plates back to the mansion’s dining area to be seated, they will delight in that area’s themed Christmas tree as well plus large wreaths and garland.
Both events are certainly more than enough to heighten the holiday spirit among visitors to Adaland.
Reservations for the teas as well as the buffet may be made by calling 304-457-1587 or 304-457-2415. For further information about Adaland Mansion and its holiday events and directions to the mansion, visit www.adaland.org or Adaland Mansion at Philippi on Facebook.
Visitors to Adaland are also invited to tour the house and enjoy all of its Christmas finery on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. when public events are not being held.
