The Martha Washington Tea Party at the Brown House Welcome Center in Wylie drew neighbors and history fans for an afternoon of period food, play and storytelling featuring Martie James as Martha Washington, tours guided by a man billed as General George Washington, and remarks from Brown House Curator Tracy Lawson and monitor Christopher J. Raso.
On Saturday, April 25, the Brown House lawn filled with twenty-six guests who came ready to sip tea and step back into the late 1700s. Colonial attire and a relaxed, picnic feel set the tone as volunteers and staff welcomed families and visitors. The scene mixed education with entertainment in a way that made story time feel like living history.
Tables offered gingerbread made from Martha Washington’s recipe, homemade cookies, fresh fruit and a choice of tea or lemonade for the younger attendees. Staff in period dress moved through the crowd, explaining the origins of recipes and the role food played in social life during the founding era. The menu helped anchor the experience and made the past tangible for kids and adults alike.
Guests played lawn games and learned dances common to the period, guided by hosts who kept steps and rules simple so everyone could join. Several children brought dolls and small props, which added an earnest, playful energy to the gathering. The activities were meant to introduce daily customs of the era without turning the day into a stiff reenactment.
Martie James, a retired Wylie Independent School District educator and a Regent of the Major Francis Grice Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Wichita Falls, portrayed Martha Washington with warmth and clear knowledge. She shared stories about the etiquette and duties of a hostess in the late 1700s, explaining how those expectations shaped the role now known as First Lady. Her presentation mixed personal anecdotes with historical notes and invited questions from listeners of all ages.
Tours of the Brown House were led by a guide adopting the persona of General George Washington, described playfully in the program as “Martha’s Husband.” Those guided walks focused on the home’s architecture and the everyday objects of the era, connecting artifacts to the bigger stories of the Revolutionary generation. Visitors left the rooms with fresh context for simple things like a teapot or a chair, seeing them as parts of a lived experience rather than museum props.
Volunteers and staff handled service and logistics, making sure the lawn games ran smoothly and refreshments were replenished. Their wear of period clothing added authenticity while keeping the mood friendly and conversational rather than museum-silent. The program was deliberately accessible, giving participants a chance to ask questions and try hands-on activities with guidance.
Tracy Lawson, Brown House Curator, responded to the day with enthusiasm and gratitude, saying “We all had a wonderful time at the tea party,” states Brown House Curator, Tracy Lawson. That exact sentiment echoed among guests and volunteers as people lingered on the lawn and chatted about what they had learned. Lawson also noted plans to continue similar events, aiming to create more regular chances for the public to engage with local history.
Christopher J. Raso, who serves as a monitor and tour guide at the City of Wylie Brown House Welcome Center, helped coordinate the event and assisted with tours and crowd flow. His involvement reflected the collaborative nature of the day, bringing together museum staff, DAR representatives and community volunteers. Events like this are small-scale, low-cost ways to invite locals into a shared appreciation for the town’s historical resources, and they often spark ideas for future programs and partnerships.
