The Friends of the Ferguson Home want to thank all those who supported the annual Ferguson Tea held Saturday, June 21. The “Tea” is a major fundraising event to provide funding for docents for the Ferguson Home Museum and programs for the community, not only for the Watonga, but for all Oklahoma Territory for which the Fergusons served as governor and first lady.
The committee for the event was primarily Michelle Mendenhall, elected as vice-president of the Friends in January, along with veteran tea leaders Janine Espy and Teresa Bryan. However, many people provided food, props and decorations, door prizes, live music provided by Vernon Brickman and Janine Espy and other types of support. Special thanks to Kim Coney who read “Jabberwocky.” There were 12 tables, each sponsored and decorated by a hostess. The Friends thank the First Baptist Church for the use of their building for the event again this year. At only $10 per person to attend to make the event universally available, memberships and donations to the 501(C)(3) are especially appreciated.
The theme this year was hats as suggested by the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. In 'Chapter Seven – A Mad Tea-Party,' while exploring Wonderland, Alice comes across the Hatter having tea with the March Hare and the Dormouse ( Mad Hatter in Wikipedia) Hats were an important part of American culture at the time the Fergusons served as governor of the territory as exhibited by Elva Ferguson’s photo in a stylish hat (Ferguson Feature of June 18 edition of the Watonga Republican.) There was an exhibit of hats donated to the museum.
One difference this year is that children were encouraged to participate. In fact, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” originated from Carrol’s stories to three young girls. He told some of the story while on a boat ride down a river in England, and Alice, the middle of the three girls, asked him to write it down. The mathematics professor, Carrol, a contemporary of T. B. Ferguson (born 1857) then produced the book two years later published with 42 woodengraved illustrations by John Tenniel. Many of the characters in the book and illustrations were represented in decorations at the tea.
Many of the photos and videos from the event are available on the Ferguson Home Museum at www.facebook. com. Even if you missed the tea party, you may easily become a member of the Friends of the Ferguson by filling out an application available at the museum and city hall or by contacting a member of the Friends.