In today’s society, a lot of the etiquette seen in the Victorian era has been lost and people have strayed from the ideals accepted in that time.

The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex hopes to remind today’s society of those ideals by holding a Women’s History Month Garden Tea Party at the 1897 Poe House on Saturday, March 20, the fi rst day of Spring.

The party will last from 2 to 4 p.m. and men and women of all ages are invited. The Poe house is located at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex at 801 Arsenal Ave. in Fayetteville.

“We’re super excited about this event!” said Heidi Bleazey, 1897 Poe House education coordinator.

This is the first time the tea party is held in conjunction with Women’s History Month and the tea party will focus on that.

Guests are encouraged to dress in Victorian-era clothing, but it is not required. You can bring a garden hat, a simple blouse with lace or a floral-patterned scarf to add a bit of history to your tea. Guests should also bring their own tea cup and saucer to enjoy hot or iced tea along with scones, jams, cucumber sandwiches and other sweets. Historical recipes will also be available to guests. If you do not have a tea cup and saucer both are available in the Cape Fear Museum’s gift shop or you can bring your own mug.

Carol Fleitz, director of horticulture and facilities at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, is the guest speaker. She will talk about the different varieties of roses, planting, preparation and care for them. Bleazey will also talk about Victorian etiquette including the social customs and practices that strictly defi ned that era.

Bleazy hopes that guests bringing their own tea cup and saucer will help them sit up a little straighter and act a bit more proper in the 1897 Poe House setting. Bleazy said the tea party is perfect for any mother and daughter pair, Girl Scout or Red Hat Society, though men are invited, too.

Bleazy feels that this tea and garden party came at an excellent time with the fi rst day of Spring and the release of Alice in Wonderland, a movie which has a tea party in it.

In case of rain the tea party will be moved inside to the Museum of the Cape Fear. The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex is located on the corner of Bradford and Arsenal avenues in Fayetteville. The historical complex is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $5 and can be paid by cash or check to the Cape Fear Museum. Space is limited and tickets will be sold on a fi rst come, first served basis. Tickets that have not been sold prior to the party will be available at the door.

For more information call 910-486-1330 or visit www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov.