Polly Claire's Tearoom Has Public Lecture At Historic Dent Mansion

  • Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Polly Claire’s tearoom, operating in the historic Dent mansion, will hold a public lecture on local, American, and British history on Friday at 1 and 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.   

These lectures are the second installment in the tearoom’s series of monthly heritage lectures presented by Grace Hughbanks, founder of Scriptorium Tutoring. 

“These talks span a timeline beginning with British wealthy citizens coming to America, and finish in the spring with current events," said Rashelle Stafford, owner and operator of Polly Claire's tearoom.  "The political and historical facets pertain to local and national topics." 

The lecture is titled “Enemies and Allies: The U.S. and Britain at War,” and will examine American and British military heritage from the American Revolution through World War II. The talk will feature a display of historical costumes, and original and replica artifacts. 

“Polly Claire’s helps bring the British tradition of tea to the U.S. Britain has had an enormous influence on our country," said Ms. Hughbanks.  "Each of these lectures includes local history as well as American and British history so listeners can come to better understand not only Chattanooga history, but also the shared heritage of both nations.” 

Attendees will hear the story of the original owner of the mansion and learn how his relative was captured by the British in the American Revolution, how Prince Albert of Great Britain intervened to prevent a war between Britain and the U.S. during the Civil War, and how students from Bonny Oaks School—formerly located at the Dent mansion—served in World War II. 

Polly Claire’s tearoom is at 6178 Adamson Cir., off Bonny Oaks Drive. Tickets for the 3:30 Friday talk and the 1 p.m. Saturday talk are $12.50 and include tea and scones served 30 minutes before the lecture. The 1 p.m. Friday talk is designed for students: worksheets for students and follow-up lesson plans for teachers will be provided. Tickets for the student lecture are $6.50. Call Polly Claire’s at 521-4832 to reserve tickets. 

Ms. Hughbanks is completing a Master of Science in History degree from the University of Edinburgh, and has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Bryan College. Scriptorium Tutoring offers intensive liberal arts courses for middle and high school students.


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