NINETY-NINE YEARS AND COUNTING
Mad Hatter Tea At Gilbreath Memorial Library
by
Maryann Miller

 

Every spring, the ladies in Winnsboro, and many from other towns, don pretty hats and vintage clothing to attend the annual Mad Hatter Tea at the Gilbreath Memorial Library. It's an opportunity to play "dress up", taste some wonderful treats prepared by Standard Club members, and support a very worthy cause. All of the proceeds from donations go to providing books for the library.

The Standard Club has been hosting this event for ninety-nine years, and it is always one of the highlights of spring for many people. Club members, along with Friends of the Library and Library Staff work hard to provide a delicious assortment of food, all arrayed amidst wonderful decorations.

According to the history of the Standard Club, compiled by Helen Burlingham, who is pictured here on the left next to Mary Katherine Swanson, the club was organized in September, 1901, joined the Texas Federation in 1904, and became a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1912. Around that same time, Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000 for a library in Winnsboro, with the stipulation that the money be spent for a building only. The City would be wholly responsible for continuing support of the library.  When the library opened in 1910, the City was able to provide only a desk, some bookshelves and chairs.  The Standard Club assumed the responsibility of appointing a librarian and paying her salary as well as campaigning for donations of cash or books; the library opened with fewer than  200 volumes.

Through the years, the club has continued to benefit the library and members are thankful for the support of the community.

Library staff are very appreciative of the Standard Club and everyone else who steps up to donate or assist in any way. "This is such a wonderful event every year," said Vickie Martin, head librarian. "We have such a good time and it is a great way to celebrate the library."

Vickie is pictured here on the left with Keri Pullin, and Diane Fite, who are on the library staff.

Some people have been attending the Mad Hatter Tea for as long as they can remember. "How long have they been having it?" joked Becky Hightower. "That's as long as I've been coming."

Becky remembers when their used to be a contest for the best hat, or the most original design. "I won that a few times," she said. "I came up with some crazy hats over the years."

This year, Becky decorated a lampshade, and considering that Helen Burlingham was wearing a tea cup on her head, the lampshade seemed perfectly okay.

Anita Thompson was one of the attendees who came in a vintage costume. She is a volunteer at The Blessing Box at Central Christian Church in Winnsboro, and the dress was donated to them. "One of the other girls told me I should pull this out and wear it," Anita said. "And I'm glad I did."

Anita wore a straw cowboy hat to top off the outfit and the combination worked well. She said this is the hat she wears after riding on the motorcycle with her husband, Jerry. "It covers my 'helmet hair.'"

The Mad Hatter Tea has become a special event for a couple of Red Hat Ladies groups. One is from Quitman, and they call themselves the "Social Butterflies." Pictured here are the Queen Mother, Barbara Coleman and Millie Davidson. The rest of the group was scattered about the room, either getting more refreshments or visiting with people they met last year. "We came for the first time last year," Millie said. "And had such a good time, we decided that this will be our annual April social event."

The Winnsboro Red Had Ladies had almost all of their members in attendance. And they even managed to get most of them together for a picture. Front Row, left to right: Connie Revell, Mavis Jones, Georgia Vanginault, Oleta Turner, Jeannie Bradford. Back row, left to right: Nan Williams Jane Haynes, Dale Woodard, Herrie White, Julie Craddock-Bragg. Jane Haynes is the Queen Mother.

Adrianne Walters, pictured below on the left with Betty Gilbert and Tracy Hopkins, was the chair of the 2009 tea, and she said she couldn't have done it without the help of the two assistant chairs, as well as all the committees that handle a lot of the details. "It really helps because they have been doing this for so many years," she said. "A lot of the organizational things are in place from year to year."

Tracy will chair the special anniversary event next year, and she is already thinking of things to do to make it special. "Our 2010 plans are sketchy at this point because the committee hasn’t had a chance to give their input," she said. . "But we are planning to have a big celebration."

Some of the ideas that have surfaced among members of the club include a special “Anniversary” cake that will be provided by the new cake shop in town, Frostings. Tracy also said that they may stick with the theme, a “Very Merry Un-Birthday” that is already on bookmarks noting the date of the special occasion in 2010. " We want to reach out into the community to encourage supporters/participants/attendees to show their appreciation for the Library by raising/donating $100.00," Tracy continued. " My hope is to have a “surprise” commemorative item to thank sponsors at the $100.00 level." 

Of course, a highlight of the annual tea is the performance by the Winnsboro Elememtary School Choir, and they will be back for the special anniversary next year.

 

Picture courtesy of Jennifer Van Brasch, the choir director.

About the Library

The Gilbreath Memorial Library was opened in 1987, and has come to be one of Winnsboro’s greatest assets. It was built with a combination of a generous bequest, private and public funds. Recently, the library has seen a rapid increase in usage: over 6,000 library cards have been issued, check-outs totaled 65,979 in 2008, and attendance was 59,127. The Library’s collection strives to keep pace with the community’s needs and has a present total of 36,338 books, 2,759 videos/DVDs, and 1,677 audio tapes. Computer/Internet usage is up to 6,878. The periodical section has expanded to cover a wider range of interests with 80 magazine and six newspaper subscriptions. In addition to the circulating and reference collections, the Library continues to offer Tex-Share inter-library loans, weekly story time for preschoolers, special summer programs, a semi-monthly book group, timely exhibits, public Internet access and a Web site—www.winnsborolibrary.org. Eight volunteers assist a staff of two full-time librarians and one part-time. The Library is open from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday thru Friday and 8:30 AM to noon on Saturday.