Tea Culture and the American Revolution

The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton invites visitors to explore the role tea played in American society during the lifetime of Elizabeth Ann Seton. This engaging program examines tea culture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with special focus on the customs and rituals observed in the household of her father, Richard Bayley.

Guests will have the opportunity to view the Bayley family tea caddy, a preserved artifact that will be on public display. Tea leaves discovered inside the caddy offer rare insight into the variety of tea the family enjoyed, and that same variety will be available for sampling during the program.

The discussion will be led by Scott Keefer, Director of the Provincial Archives, who will explore the importance of tea in daily family life, the traditions surrounding “tea time,” and the broader cultural and political significance of tea in America, including its role in the American Revolution.