In a sign that life is slowly returning to whatever normal is going to be, Scottish Tea will be served once again at Hutchison House Living Museum in Peterborough this summer.
The popular event is returning to the museum (270 Brock St., Peterborough, 705-743-9710) when it reopens to the public beginning Wednesday, July 15th, but with some changes this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the tea service will be offered only three days a week — Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, with time slots at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. — until Labour Day.
Served on the terrace in the museum’s period garden, the tea includes fresh-baked scones, preserves, whipped cream, oatcakes, and tea, lemonade, or ice tea. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children aged six to 10 (children five and under are free).
You must register and pay in advance (at least 12 hours in advance of the requested time slot) by calling the museum office at 705-743-9710. No drop-ins are allowed.
Only groups of up to four people from a single social circle are allowed per table for each booking time slot.
All visitors are required to enter through the accessible door on the north side of the museum and exit along the pathway on the west side of the building, and must maintain a two-metre distance from others while on museum property.
Each time slot allows for a 45-minute visit to allow staff time to clean in-between visitors.
Museum staff and volunteers will do a deep clean of the museum at the end of each day, as well as cleaning bathrooms and high-touch areas after each visitor.
Museum staff and volunteers will wear face masks or shields when preparing food as well as when interacting with visitors.
Those who have recently travelled outside of Ontario or who are feeling ill are asked not to visit the museum.
Complimentary tours of the museum are also available on the same days and time slots as Scottish Teas. All the same requirements for Scottish Tea (including advance booking and limits on visitors) also apply for tours, except that visitors having a tour will exit through the front door of the museum.
Hutchison House will provide hand sanitizer for visitors upon entering and exiting the museum. Visitors will be required to wear face masks when inside the museum.
For more information about Hutchison House, visit hutchisonhouse.ca.
