Historic Sharpe House 10th Anniversary of Annual Mother’s Day Tea
Garden Party Seatings Saturday, May 2 | Tickets Available Now
Statesville, NC – The historic Sharpe House will mark a milestone this spring as it hosts the 10th Annual Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 2, 2026. This beloved tradition honors mothers, grandmothers, and the special ladies who shape our lives, inviting guests to step back into the elegance of the Gilded and Edwardian ages with a traditional afternoon tea served on the grounds of the historic home. Featuring a tiered presentation with period-appropriate china and linens with traditional tea favorites plus Southern adaptations: finger sandwiches, scones, sweets, and a fruit-based punch.
This year’s event will be held as an outdoor Garden Party with three seatings: 11:00 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Seating is limited.
A Decade of Honoring Women
For ten years, the Sharpe House Mother’s Day Tea has blended historic charm with heartfelt celebration. Guests are treated to an experience in keeping with the time period of the house, complete with period-inspired table settings, attire, and the gracious hospitality that defined turn-of-the-century entertaining.
What Is a Traditional Afternoon Tea?
Traditional afternoon tea is a light meal typically served between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. It features hot tea accompanied by a tiered service of small savory sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, and delicate sweets or pastries.
Afternoon tea is credited to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the early 1840s. During the long gap between lunch and a late evening dinner, the Duchess began taking tea with light refreshments in her room. She soon invited friends to join her, and the practice became a fashionable social event among the upper class in Britain during the Gilded Age and Edwardian era. It emphasized conversation, etiquette, and elegant presentation.
Afternoon Tea as a Southern U.S. Tradition
In the American South, the custom of afternoon tea took on a regional character. While the tiered service and emphasis on hospitality remained, Southern hostesses adapted the menu to the climate and local tastes. Hot tea was often replaced by chilled fruit-based punch, and the offerings leaned toward seasonal, bite-sized finger foods that could be prepared in advance for large gatherings.
Over time, this Southern interpretation became a social staple. The format: dainty sandwiches, tea cakes, fruit, nuts, and a signature punch, eventually became the main staple of wedding receptions, bridal showers, and church socials across the region. It retained the grace of the original tradition while embracing Southern warmth and practicality.
This Year’s Mother’s Day Tea Details
To celebrate 10 years, the Sharpe House will serve a traditional afternoon-style tea that reflects both Edwardian elegance and Southern heritage.
10th Annual Sharpe House Mother’s Day Tea
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11:00 a.m. | 12:45 p.m. | 2:30 p.m Seatings
The Historic Sharpe House, Statesville, NC, 402 S Center Street, Statesville, NC
Garden party dress encouraged; hats welcomed!
To request press seating or additional information, contact HEARTS Collaborative at info@heartscollaborative.org.
The Mother’s Day Tea at the historic Sharpe House helps sustainably operate and care for the beautiful 19th-century landmark. The Sharpe House receives HEARTS Collaborative’s unique support to further preserve, enhance, and celebrate local history through community programming at the historic Sharpe House. Proceeds from the Mother’s Day Tea support the ongoing care of the Sharpe House and community events.
About HEARTS
HEARTS (History, Ecology, Arts, Reunion, Trails, Store) is a mission that weaves the threads of local lore, past and present, into a vibrant and interconnected tapestry of our region.
Designed to inspire and enhance our community’s shared sense of place, HEARTS Happenings are grass-roots community events known for juxtaposing regional history and ecology with curated local music, visual art, and dance in multi-faceted, place-based programs.
As a non-profit umbrella corporation, HEARTS Collaborative also works to help preserve, protect, connect, and share many historic sites in our community.
HEARTS is made possible by dedicated volunteers, HEARTS Circle members, 2026 HEARTS Presenting Sponsors Lake Norman Realty and blueharbor bank, and generous donations from the community. All proceeds further the HEARTS mission of historic preservation, ecological conservation, and forging community connections in our region.
Learn more about HEARTS, and please join us to save and share even more of our local history, and enhance our communities through sustainable uses of our special historic places. www.HEARTSCollaborative.org.
