In honour of the 250th anniversary of the birth of literary titan Jane Austen, Heliconian Club is holding a special tea party on the afternoon of Sunday, September 14, 2025.
Enter the elegance of the Regency Era as iconic Canadian actress Marilyn Lightstone transports us to the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy with her readings from Pride and Prejudice. In addition to enjoying a traditional tea served on Blue Willow china, there will be other themed activities for the seasoned Austen fan and the novice alike.
Two gorgeous hardcover books will be available for sale, both from Plumleaf Press. One is a special edition of Pride and Prejudice. With a beautiful cover illustration by UK artist Kay Widdowson and gilt edges, along with a Foreword by Louise Ansdell, Chair of the Trustees of Chawton House, and an Introduction by Natalie Jenner, internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society and Austen at Sea, it is bound to become a treasured possession. The other is a children’s book called Jane and the Blue Willow Princess by Catherine Little, with illustrations by Sae Kimura. A fictional story about a young Jane Austen and how she was inspired by the Blue Willow china, the book is endorsed by Caroline Jane Knight, 5th great niece of Jane Austen. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these books will be donated to the Heliconian Hall Foundation to assist with the upkeep of this treasured National Historic Site.
Tickets to the three-course tea are $50 for the general public, $40 for Club members. Doors open at 1:30 pm, with the event starting at 2 pm. Cash bar.
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