The Walden Island High Tea has been held each August since 1991, with few exceptions, as a benefit for Cowlitz County charities. The near-traditional English Tea is held for area and island women at the island home of K.C. and Stephen Babcock. But the men aren’t left out – a “Beef and Brew” summer barbeque is held during and after the event on the island.
Sponsored by the Babcocks and supported by local businesses and other Island families, the Tea and the Beef & Brew provide essential funding to two Cowlitz County charities: Community House on Broadway in Longview and the Kids Clothes Closet at St Paul Lutheran in Castle Rock.
Each year, the Tea Ladies in their dresses and bonnets are ferried to Walden Island via small boats that land at the Babcock’s, to enjoy their tea seated under the huge fir trees at tables set with fine linens and china. The guests are served scones with clotted cream, tea sandwiches, fruit tarts and other treats – with young nieces, neighbors or church girls serving. The girls serve carefully, since each of the tea cups is unique, with many of the pieces handed down from grandmothers and great-grandmothers. The setting is also unique, on the lawn adjacent to Babcock’s rose garden, with views of Silver Lake and Mt. St. Helens.
Although an event tailored for women, their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons are not completely excluded, since the Beef & Brew barbeque is held on the same day. Originally simply a venue for husbands to wait for their tea-going wives, the Beef & Brew has become an event in its own right, with a raffle and silent auction, and sometimes including live music for entertainment.
All goods and raffle items are donated by businesses and individuals. 100% of all donations and product sales go to our two beneficiaries. We look forward to you participation in this fun annual event.
Walden Island Tea’s tax exempt number is 91-0991229, which is registered to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Longview.
