BUCKFIELD — Lucille Allen was given her first teacup on her honeymoon in 1955 by her husband. Since then, her collection has grown to over 300 tea pieces, including teapots, teacups, dessert plates, saucers and other items.
On Sunday, Allen shared her collection with others at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield with a tea party, complete with little pastries, piping hot tea and good friends.
“It’s always been my dream to do a tea party,” said Allen, who became a member of the Library Committee in January.
Those in attendance could drink out of Allen’s teacups and enjoy a snack and good conversation, which Allen said is the goal of the event.
“I think Buckfield has lost its community feel,” Allen said. “It’s important to know friends and neighbors.”
Library Director Katie Clukey said that libraries are becoming more than a place to check out a book — they’re becoming community centers.
“It’s really the heart of a community,” said Clukey, who hopes to make the tea party an annual event. “It gets people together to do new things, try new things and meet others.”
“It’s amazing that she brings out her collection for people to enjoy — it’s so important to keep this going,” said Rachel Mendola of Buckfield, who enjoyed not only the tea, but browsing the library’s various historical accounts and items.
Clukey and Allen’s goal is to organize more library events tailored to teens, such as a game night.
The next event at the Zadoc Long Free Library will be on Oct. 14, featuring guest speaker Roger Guay, author and a former Maine warden.
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Over 150 teacups, and 30 saucers, about half of Lucille Allen’s personal collection, were on display during Sunday’s Friends of the Julia Long Tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Lucille Allen, right, listens to her grandson, Edward Allen, of Brockton, MA.,tell her a story during Sunday’s tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Lucille Allen, right, listens to friends tell stories as her grandson, Edward Allen, of Brockton, MA., eyes some sweets during Sunday’s tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Lucille Allen, in blue, talks with Sarah Bly, and her daughter Zoey, 5, who’s mother was good friends with Allen, when she was a child in Buckfield where they all still live as her grandson Lucas, left, of Brockton, MA., eyes the sweet treats Sunday afternoon at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Over 150 teacups, and 30 saucers, about half of Lucille Allen’s personal collection, were on display during Sunday’s Friends of the Julia Long Tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Skylar Warren, of Buckfield came to the tea party to have some fun, and while sampling some, learned about raising her pinky finger when she sipped tea.
Over 150 teacups, and 30 saucers, about half of Lucille Allen’s personal collection, were on display during Sunday’s Friends of the Julia Long Tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield. Lucille, background, watches her grandson Edward Allen, who came with his brother and parents from Brockton, MA., is more interested in some of the sweet treats than the tea.
Over 150 teacups, and 30 saucers, about half of Lucille Allen’s personal collection, were on display during Sunday’s Friends of the Julia Long Tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Lorraine Parsons, of Hartford, checks some of the old publications on display at Sunday’s tea.
Sandra Perkins, of Buckfield, pours a cup of tea.
Sandra Perkins, of Buckfield, peeks inside to check on the status of the tea left in one of the pots. “Oooh, you are going to get a good strong cup.” she quipped after seeing it was down to the last cup.
Zoey Bly, of Buckfield, sucks on a lollypop at Sunday’s tea party.
Diane Brown, of Buckfield, pours herself some tea during Sunday’s tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
There were all sorts of sweet treats on hand to go with tea.
Over 150 teacups, and 30 saucers, about half of Lucille Allen’s personal collection, were on display during Sunday’s Friends of the Julia Long Tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Girls coming to Sunday’s tea party were given a specially made bracelet.
Over 150 teacups, and 30 saucers, about half of Lucille Allen’s personal collection, were on display during Sunday’s Friends of the Julia Long Tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
Over 150 teacups, about half of Lucille Allen’s personal collection, were on display during Sunday’s Friends of the Julia Long Tea party at the Zadoc Long Free Library in Buckfield.
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