Since many of you love tea history as much as I do, I thought you might like to know that some great free resources are available from the Library of Congress. I've downloaded some vintage tea photos there in the past, and this week, I discovered this 1899 publication from the Government Printing Office, "Tea Culture: The Experiment in South Carolina" by Dr. Charles Shepard, Special Agent in Charge Tea Culture Investigations. Shepard, as many of you know, cultivated tea at the Pinehurst Tea Plantation in Summerville, S.C., and his plants were later transplanted to the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island. I love to read anything associated with Dr. Shepard, and I'm sure some of you will want to check out this resource as well.
Here's a link.
The book has a few photos, including this one of "A Tea Nursery in July."
Also, there's a photo of the young tea pickers. Years ago, I learned that Shepard established a school for black children, and after their lessons, they went into the fields to pick tea leaves, for which they were paid by the pound. Some of the children who picked tea leaves at Pinehurst sang for President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, according to other information I found on the Library of Congress website. This work by Dr. Shepard is in the public domain, which is great for writers, researchers, program presenters, and others. Be sure to check out
www.loc.gov if there are areas of history you like to explore, because you might be surprised what turns up!
How very interesting! You come across the best information, and are always so willing to share it with your readers. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Angela, I love these photos. You find such interesting information and thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteHeads up shopping tip: Publix has Lipton`s Pure Leaf Tea on sale as a BOGO, buy one, get one free. Can't wait to try it. Joanie
I am glad to know about the Library of Congress as a resource. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo very interesting. Thanks for all the research you do and share with Tea with Friends!
ReplyDeleteYou really have a knack for finding thinks like this. Thank you for sharing such a great resource!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, thank you for a bit of history
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have bought Pinehurst Tea Plantation and are restoring it. If you ever want to sell anything related to it, please contact me! Thank you for sharing,
ReplyDeleteDonna Knight
Summerville, SC
Donna, I just found your (long-ago!) comment in my spam folder today, but if you're still looking for some old postcards, I'll be glad to help! If this comment finds its way to you, feel free to email me directly at angelamcrae@charter.net.
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