“Christmas Tea” with the Huntingtons

by Nancy Armitage

(Christmas “Cream Scone” Recipe – at the end of this Blog)

There is nothing more festive then a “Christmas Tea” in December. The house or in the Huntington’s case their mansion(s), already stunningly beautiful but especially during Christmas time. Mrs. Arabella Huntington loved Christmas especially at her New York City mansion at No. 2 57th Street and 5th Ave. But we know that Arabella and Edwards H.E. Huntington were located at the San Marino Ranch in 1922 and 1923 at Christmas time.

Huntington Christmas Decorations

The Huntington mansions were adored with beautiful Christmas wreaths, large Christmas tree(s) with large glass baubles, Nativity Scenes or Christmas Creches, greenery, & Christmas garlands around staircases. And of course, Mrs. Arabella Huntington’s prized art collection of “Madonna & Child” primitive paintings. The Huntington’s head butler, Alfonzo Gomez, informs us the Mrs. Arabella Huntington absolutely adored Christmas, the decorations, the celebrations & the “entertainments” she called them. Christmas was about her family being together & the giving of gifts. Document: HEH Coll. HEH MS 19/1-18 (Alfonso Gomez interviews – HEH’s bio file) at Huntington Library, San Marino, CA

Huntington Christmas Day Tea

Mrs. Arabella Huntington held a “Christmas Tea”(s) at the Huntington Mansion on the Ranch on Christmas Day. The Huntington Library guard informed me of that. Mrs. H. E. Huntington also enjoyed Christmas tea at her other mansions, too. But Mrs. Huntington would have attended & hosted many teas in New York City, Throgg’s Neck, San Marino Ranch, & her Paris mansions.

Christmas “At-Homes”

She might have had a “At-Homes Tea” or two on her estate called “the Huntington Homestead” at Throgg’s Neck in Westchester Co., NY, during the Christmas and New Year holidays; the Huntingtons enjoyed this property on the weekends year round. ”The Huntington Homestead” was close to the Huntington New York City mansion. There was evidence that some of the Huntington servants worked at both New York City residences at No. 2 & Throgg’s Neck went back & forth to each of the residences when the Huntington family was “In-residence”.

Christmas Tea

Also, Mrs. Arabella Huntington could have had “Christmas Tea” in San Francisco, & in England. We really don’t have the luxury of any calendars or diaries made by Collis, Arabella, or Henry E. Huntington. Or they haven’t yet to been found by researchers. So we are not sure of all of their locations & whereabouts at Christmas time of all the Huntington family from 1870’s to1920’s. But we know a lot through other sources like Huntington letters & such. We know a good portion, though. We do have HEH’s brother-in-law diaries: Edmund “Burke” Holladay does give us some of the Huntingtons locations & dates. Also, Caroline D. Huntington Holladay (HEH’s sister) in her 1890’s diaries, she was very helpful on locating some of the Huntington locations & dates & “entertainments” of Belle’s in NYC or SF & long train trips from NYC to San Francisco, CA. (Burke Journals, Huntington Library, San Marino, CA)

I have compiled food lists, of gourmet stores, candy stores, bakeries receipts, & monthly tallies of the Huntington’s groceries in NYC & Pasadena, CA. We also have the luxury of viewing some of the Huntington’s fancy multi-course dinner menus. Many of those are for the Southern Pacific Co. annual banquets in San Francisco, CA. Some of these railroad Southern Pacific elegant banquet dinners were actually held at the Collis P. & Arabella Huntington’s Mansion at 1020 California Street on Nob Hill in San Francisco, CA.

So I will separate my tea information per Huntington Mansion(s) & the cities. I’ve compiled teas with all the menus, invoices, & receipts from that particular mansion, estate, & city. Chateau Beauregard is not included because HEH & ADH were never at the Chateau Beauregard during the Christmas or New Years season, they were only at the Chateau in the summer & the autumn. Sadly, I have never found a Huntington Family “Entertainment Book”, at the San Marino Ranch (Huntington Library) or New York City, etc. Or a journal of Huntington mansion entertaining, or Household expense book, Head Housekeeper Journal, or Household Acct. book, or a Huntington Head cook – Menu book from any of the Huntington mansions.

How did Mrs. Arabella Huntington decorate her Christmas tea table? She loved white damask, red damask, & green tablecloths & white lace table clothes. She liked formal damask white napkins with “H” embroidered on them. This information was depicted in the Inventory of the Huntington Mansion at the San Marino Ranch found at the Huntington Library San Marino, CA.

Her Christmas plateware is a bit of a mystery. I never did find her special “Christmas plates” in my research. Mrs. Arabella Huntington had quite an addiction for collecting large quautities of plate ware. She would buy the entire set (Dinner Set, Dessert set, Opera Set, Breakfast Set, & Luncheon Set, etc. of a certain pattern of plates maybe 60 plates in each pattern; which encompassed 1000’s of plates). These including soup bowls, entrée & salad plates, tea cups & saucers dinner & desserts plates, etc. My guess, is I think she had many many sets of “Christmas Plates” fine bone china plate ware, she was such a plateware collector.

Gilded Age “Christmas Tea“ at the Huntington Mansion(No. 2 East 57th St. NYC)

When Mrs. Arabella Huntington had a “Entertainment” like a Christmas Tea: she would have brought out her fanciest porcelain plates, tea cups, & decorations. At Mrs. Arabella Huntington’s Christmas Tea would have a Christmas color scheme like green/gold or red/gold. It is highly likely she had a set of French plates that were Red & Gold (Limoges, Sevres, or Havilland) or English Minton made by Tiffany & Co. for example: “Pate de pate”) or Green & Gold (maybe Limoges, Minton (made for Tiffany & Co. or Sevres) or gold & white her “Best” (Copeland & Garrett). She had 100 of pieces red & white Transferware & she also had abundant amounts of green & white transferware, too. Maybe in a Christmas or Santa Claus theme.

We know Mrs. Arabella Huntington collected all of these elegant porcelain plates: French (Sevres, Limoges, Haviland) ornate Viennese plates, Deltware (Blue & White), English plateware: Royal Crown Derby, Wedgewood, & Minton & Dresden & many more.

Mrs. Arabella Huntington could have also chosen elegant gold & white plateware for her Christmas Dining-Table. But red & gold has a certain elegance on a dining table at Christmas time. I do know that she had fancy Royal Crown Derby dishes that were highly gilded on the rim & landscape in the middle. They would have been stunning on her table.

But gold & white plates would have been perfectly acceptable at Christmas. She could have decorated with fragrant red roses or red poinsettias. or red wrapped Christmas presents on each plates. She could have had ruby red wine & champagne glasses at each place setting. She had numerous white & gold fine bone china & porcelain plates (Copeland & Garrett “Best” porcelain plates at San Marino Ranch). Mrs. Arabella Huntington was particularly proud of these plates, they had a gold lattice pattern with lots of curves. Gold & white fancy plates that would have been acceptable at Christmas Tea. Mrs. Arabella Huntington own several set of gold & white Haviland plates “Marquis” & Homer Laughlin gold & white plates. She had dozens of stunning plateware.

Elegant Christmas Tea in the Gilded Age (Huntington Mansion No. 2 57th St. New York City, NY)

A elegant “Christmas Tea” in the Huntington’s New York City mansion would be a perfect entertainment for Mrs. Arabella Huntington &her friends & family. A tea party or a “At-Home” tea would have been a much easier “entertainment” then a 10-16-course formal dinner party.

The Huntington’s New York City mansion would have been decorated for Christmas & looking beautiful. In the Gilded Age, when Arabella was Mrs. Collis P. Huntington, they often had the house filled with house guests & family members at Christmas time. The Huntington’s entertained a lot in their NY mansion with teas, At-Homes teas, receptions, & formal dinners.

Tea was served everyday at the Huntington mansions. Also at “At-Homes” & at “5 o’clock Teas” once a week or once a month tea affair. So during the month of December, Mrs. Huntington could have hosted several “Christmas Teas” or maybe a Dutch “Sinterklass” Party in honor of Bishop St. Nicholas on December 6th.

Tea was a great way to introduce Mrs. Arabella Huntington’s friends, her new house guests, & close acquaintances to each other. Mrs. Charles Crocker Alexander “Hattie” or “Harriett” was a dear friend to Arabella Huntington. Arabella often met Mrs. Alexander for tea at each other mansions; whether it was in NYC, or in Paris. In the early 1900’s, Mrs. Arabella Huntington often attended charity tea & fundraisers with her daughter-in-law Mrs. Archer M. Huntington (Helen). Many of these charity times were published in the New York Herald & the New York Times. Those charity teas were located at the Plaza Hotel, the Ritz Hotel, & the Hotel Astor, & other hotels in New York City. For many different charity causes like the Metropolitan Museum, Opera House, New York Hospital, etc.

After 1913, Arabella Huntington was married to Henry “Edwards” Huntington & the tradition of Christmas at No. 2 E. 57th St. NYC,NY continued. The Huntington’s NYC Mansion was filled with friends & family, & holiday sweets and special Christmas foods. Mr. & Mrs. Henry E. Huntington (Arabella) would have invited his son, Howard & Leslie & their 6 children to NYC. HEH would have invited his 3 daughters to NYC. Arabella & “Edwards often had Archer Huntington & his wife to dine with them.

Index of Huntington Mansions 8 “Christmas Teas” Menus (below)

Christmas Tea Menu at The Huntington Mansion (No. 2)

Dutch “Sinterklass” Tea for Children – Christmas or St. Nicholas Tea (No. 2)

Christmas Tea in Paris “The de Noel” (Ritz-Paris, France) (Paris)

Christmas Tea with the Huntington at the Huntington Mansion on the San Marino Ranch (SMR)

English Christmas Tea in London (England)

Christmas Tea at the Huntington’s “Homestead” Estate at Throgg’s Neck, Westchester Co. NY (TN)

Christmas Tea on Nob Hill in San Francisco, CA (SF)

Christmas Tea aboard on a cruise ship (Ship)

Elegant Christmas Tea Menu at the Huntington Mansion (No. 2 East 57th St. NYC- with a French flair to it)

Huntington Christmas Tea Blend (mixture of Orange Pekoe & India Ceylon Tea) with Christmas spices added like cinnamon, cloves, allspice & ginger & orange peel

Adult Libations (No.2 – Elegant) :

Red Champagne Punch or Huntington Roman Punch (served in a large ornate silver punch bowl (Gorham or Sheffield) with silver or glass punch cups)

Canapes & passed appetizers (No. 2- Elegant): (on a doily-lined silver round tray; served by the Huntington butler or footman)

French Petit Blended Mushroom & French Brie tart

Pate de Foie Gras on toasted rounds of bread

Petit French Cheese tart

Caviar Canapes with chopped egg & onion on toasted rounds of bread

Canapes Washington

Tea Sandwiches (No. 2 – Elegant tea):

Chicken Salad Tea sandwich (with French Tarragon and smashed capers & minced celery mixed with Hellman’s mayonnaise & a little lemon juice added)

Egg Salad Tea sandwich (hard-cooked eggs, with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, touch of cayenne pepper); spread butter on the bread, spread egg mixture & another piece of bread. Cut the crust off. Cover with moist paper towel and cover with saran wrap. Store in refrigerate until eating.

Roast Beef Tea Sandwich on Rye Bread (a gentlemen’s sandwich) with thinly sliced Roast beef, cheese, mayonnaise & Dijon mustard &/or creamy horseradish

Edwardian Bread & Butter Tea Sandwich

Southern Tomato & Mayonnaise sandwich (with hot house tomatoes)

Scones & Breads (No.2- Elegant):

Christmas Cream Scones with Keilers Marmalade from Park & Tilford gourmet store, NYC ) recipe at the bottom of this blog

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Meyer’s Cream (could be English Devonshire Cream or Lemon Cream, I’m not sure; purchased by the Huntingtons at Park & Tilford gourmet store, 1919)

Petit Scone (2 “) with Currants, served with San Marino Ranch Orange Marmalade, English Devonshire Cream, & Lemon Curd

Tea Cakes (No. 2 ):

Irish Christmas Cake with a large red bow tied around white Royal Icing cake.

“Irish Christmas Trifle” with a large red bow wrapped around the trifle glass cylinder (made with vanilla wafers or lady fingers & vanilla sauce, chopped strawberries or peaches (in a can) or strawberry or raspberry jam, whipped cream & chocolate shavings. Served in small bowl with a spoon.

Candies:

Chocolate French BonBons

Chocolate-covered Almonds or Jordan Almonds

A Children’s Christmas Tea Menu (Dutch St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6th) or Dutch “Sinterklaas” theme, NYC: “New Amsterdam)

Mrs. Arabella D. Huntington loved Christmas & loved children. Christmas shopping and giving of gifts was one of her favorite things. In New York City, a children’s “Christmas tea” could have leaned to a festive “Dutch Sinterklass” tea. Maybe using red and white or green and white transferware plates. Or all the plates companies had darling Christmas theme plates even Bishop St. Nicholas Day yearly. In celebration of Bishop St. Nicholas Day (December 6th). Bishop St. Nicholas’ story is giving gifts or money to the needy, but in secret. So the giver doesn’t get the credit – there is grace in that. Fun Sinterklass Dutch traditions are to make up funny poems of the children with their good & bad traits. Also, funny & complicated wrapping of gifts like a box within another box; but mostly humble tissue paper & always home-made gifts signed by Bishop St. Nicholas himself.

New York City was nicknamed in the Gilded Age: “New Amsterdam”; because of all the Dutch immigrants that lived there & bought land. All the Dutch bakeries in New York City, would have had all the delightful Dutch surprises & goodies for the celebration of St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th).

To celebrate “Sinterklass” Day- December 6th. They would have had spicy large “Speculaas” cookies and Belguim Chocolate candy (some in the shape of the good bishop), “Bishop Bread” (a raisin bread with Royal icing on top or powdered sugar) & “Dutch or Belguim Hot Chocolate” to make a thick delicious Hot cocoa, & “Sinterklass Chocolate candy” in the shape of the bishop himself & Chocolate gold coins.

For a Christmas Tea with children, Mrs. Arabella Huntington could have picked a plateware that was more playful. Like her red and white Transferware plates that have pictures & landscapes & they tell a story. Mrs. Arabella Huntington loved her Transferware (she had red & white/ green & white perfect for Christmas time).

Playful Christmas Plateware (for children guests)

Red transferware plates often have winter scenes or scenes of Santa Claus, or Dutch Sinterklass (Bishop St. Nicholas). They have delightful illustrations & they all tell a story. These are my guesses that Mrs. Arabella Huntington might have purchased: Red transferware was mostly English Royal Stafford or Spode with castles or English houses on them. Or Christmas Spode – “Winter’s Eve” or “Christmas Tree” with a green band or red band around the rim, Royal Stafford- “Red Santa Sleigh”, Josiah Wedgewood- “Christmas Eve” (with Christmas tree & wreath & a fire in the fireplace), Spode Christmas tree with a red transferware pattern on the rim made by Johnson Bros. – “Merry Christmas” with a green transferware Christmas tree & wreath & fire in the fireplace. I’ve also seen several European porcelain company have plates illustrating Bishop St. Nicholas or “Sinterklass” Dutch St. Nicholas.

Dutch Sinterklaas Christmas Tea Menu (December 6th- Children & adults welcome- Dutch themed tea)

Celebrate St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th) (at Huntington Mansion at No. 2)

Tea Blend (No. 2-Sinterklass – Children Christmas Tea ):

Huntington Tea Blend: ”Christmas Tea Blend” with spices) (mixture of Orange Pekoe & India Ceylon tea) with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, & orange peel

Bishop St. Nicholas Punch (Seville oranges, lemons, apple cider, cloves, brown sugar, mace, nutmeg)

Hot Dutch Cocoa with Peppermint Candy Cane in the coffee cup

Adult Libations (No. 2- Sinterklass):

Victorian “Bishop Punch” (Claret red wine, apple cider, cloves, allspice, orange slices, & cinnamon stick)

Apricot Cordial (we know HEH courted ADH, by bringing her some)

Savories & Tea Sandwiches (No. 2- Sinterklass- Children’s Christmas Tea):

Peanut butter& Raspberry jam tea sandwiches on white bread (for the children)

Bay Shrimp & Cheese Canape (small French baguette cut in slices, 1 -2 t. mayonnaise, garlic clove, 1 lb. bay shrimp chopped, parsley, dill & mixed cheese. Spread on bread. Broil until golden brown & bubbly. or Bake 425 for 15 mins.

Shredded Dutch Gouda cheese, mince black olive, walnut and mayonnaise sandwich

Chicken Salad tea sandwiches with mayonnaise & a squeeze of lemon & minced celery on white bread

Egg Salad Tea Sandwich (Deviled egg chopped with mayo, paprika)

Scones or Bread (No.2- Sinterklass- Childrens Christmas Tea)

Christmas Cream Scones served with Devonshire Cream or Clotted Cream, Raspberry Jam & Apricot Jam (SMR)

Dutch “Bishop Bread” (Cinnamon bread with raisins, frosted with royal icing- really delicious toasted with butter)

Tea Tarts (Huntington No. 2 – “Sinterklass Tea”) Children’s Christmas Tea:

Petit Chocolate ganache tarts

Petit Cranberry or Raspberry Tarts (shortbread cookie dough with raspberry jam inside & topped with a raspberry

Marmalade Petit Tarts (1 1/2″ or 3″ size)

Sweets & Candies (No. 2- Sinterklass- Children’s Christmas Tea) maybe a visit from Bishop St. Nicholas himself

Dutch chocolate Biscuits or decorated Christmas Cookies

Dutch Speculaas Cookies (with image of Bishop St. Nicholas

Dutch Peppernoten Cookies

Lots of oranges

Candies (No. 2 -“Sinterklass”- Children’s Christmas Tea):

Chocolate gold coins candy

Poems to each person (with their good & bad traits) with funny rhymes (4-8 lines or more)

Chocolate molded candy shaped like Bishop St. Nicholas image.

Chocolate Bon-Bons (NYC Huylers candy store NYC, Huntingtons had a monthly acct. there)

Peppermint BonBons (monthly purchases at Huylers candy store NYC, NY)

Jordan Almonds (silver or gold) & Salted Almonds

Bishop St. Nicholas prayer at each plate

“Tokens” or chocolate gold coins

Huntington chocolate dipped Red Strawberries

Hot House grapes with assorted Dutch gouda cheeses & water crackers

Tea Cakes (Sinterklass- Children’s Christmas Tea – Huntington Mansion at No. 2, NYC):

Louis Sherry’s Fancy Cakes & Chocolate BonBons & Peppermint Bonbons in fancy tin boxes

French Bonbons or candies placed in Red candy papers & placed on a silver tray with doily on it.

Huntington Christmas Plum Pudding served with Hard Sauce

Irish Christmas Cake (with a large red ribbon around the cake & red berries decorating it.)

Cookies or Biscuits (Huntington Mansion at No. 2 NYC – Sinterklass- Children’s Christmas Tea):

Dutch Spicy Speculaas Cookies (windmills or image of Bishop St. Nicholas) Lotus & other Dutch cookie makers)

Dutch Spicy Peppernoten (small 1/2″ round cookies flat on the bottom)

Irish Shortbread Cookies (Mrs. Huntington always hired many Irish cooks & staff)

Homemade Irish Chocolate Fudge & Peanut brittle & Honeycomb dipped in Dark chocolate

Petit Mincemeat Tarts & Oranges (tangerines “cuties”)

Mixed Nuts (in small candy/small muffin papers with Christmas decor on them)

Jordan Almonds in gold or silvers

or [Gold chocolate coins]

Document: HEH Collection HEH MS Box 198 (HEH Huntington NYC Bills 1919)

Christmas Tea Menu in Paris (Paris Ritz)

Through investigation, I have found that Mrs. Arabella Huntington was in Paris at Christmas in 1901 (she came home to NYC on the “Oceanic” in February 1901). Mrs. Huntington was also in Paris in 1903 during Christmas & New Year’s holidays. In 1901, she was traveling with her son, Archer Huntington & his first wife, Mrs. Helen Huntington. So they were in Paris during the Christmas & New Year’s celebrations & holidays. Mrs. Huntington could have hosted a “Christmas Tea” at the Ritz Paris, where she was lodging or attended a tea at the Paris Ritz. The Ritz Paris was/is famous for their afternoon tea especially elegant during the holidays.

Christmas Tea Menu in Paris (Paris & French Theme) (Paris) French Afternoon Tea called “The de Noel”. In the early 1900’s, Mrs. Arabella Huntington stayed at the Paris Ritz & the Hotel Bristol. By 1907, Mrs. Arabella D. Huntington she had purchased her 1st large Paris mansion in Paris on 2, Rue de la Elysee & 24 Rue de la Gabriel , then she purchased another Paris mansion at 20,4ue de Lubeck in Paris. Often, she was staying in Paris for long periods of time, including Christmas of 1903. As long as her son, Archer Huntington was with her during the holidays she was happy.

So in Paris, she would have had a lovely French style Christmas tea. With classic red roses as the floral decor, but dozen of red roses in main floral bouquet. Tableware: French Limoges porcelain (gold & white or red & gold) or French Havilland or “Old Paris” porcelain plateware.

Parisian Tea Blend: (Paris)

Parisian Hot Chocolate (dark, thick, & delicious) often served in petit demitasse cups with small saucers because it is so rich

Spiced Tea (Lavender or Lemon Verbena called “Tisanes”)

French Coffee with Dutch or French cocoa added

Glass of French champagne (Baron de Rothchild Ritz Champagne)

“Kir Royale” (a French aperitif made of champagne, Creme de Cassis -a raspberry liqueur, & a raspberry in a champagne glass)

Speculaas St. Nicholas spicy cookie

Savories (Paris):

Petit cheese quiche or Petit French mushroom quiche or tart

Warm Petit Brie in ramekin drizzle wine with chopped nuts & drizzle of wine in puff pastry canape

Tea Sandwiches (Paris):

Smoked salmon & goat cheese on a petit baguette & sliced

Brie and Tomato with baby chives small petit baguette, sliced

Egg Salad Tea Sandwich with French tarragon tea sandwich

Sweets (Paris):

Peach Melba & Raspberries

Fresh Sliced & toasted baguette with Apricot Jam or Orange Marmalade

Fancy Cakes (Paris):

Variety of fancy French petit cakes (Petit fours, small tarts, etc)

Petit Opera cake in rectagular shape (Ritz Paris)

Petit Noel Gateaux (Yule log rolled up with frosting on the inside & outside, cut into slices)

Tea Tarts (Paris):

Petit French chocolate mousse tart

Chocolate ganache tart

French Petit Napoleons

“Bisquit glace a la Chantilly” (Grand Hotel, Paris, France)

French macaroons (pictured below)

Christmas Cookies/Biscuits & Candies: (Paris)

French Macaroons (variety of colors & flavors like chocolate or pistachio or lavender)

French Madeleines cookie/biscuits (Ritz Paris in Salon Proust)

French spicy “speculaas” or speculoos cookies or sables (Sinterklass or St. Nicholas)

Parisian Chocolate Bonbons (Chocolate Truffle candy)

Christmas Tea Menu with the Huntington’s (on Christmas Day on San Marino Ranch, CA) (SMR)

We know at the San Marino Ranch, that Mr. & Mrs. H. E. Huntington ( “Edwards & Belle “) hosted a very large “Christmas Tea” on Christmas Day. The Huntington Library guards told me this story. The Huntingtons invited all their ranch employees & their in-house staff & traveling servants to enjoy a Christmas tea. There was Christmas music, songs & Christmas carols. They enjoyed the very large Huntington Christmas tree in the Huntington’s main hall way, ;with Christmas presents underneath the tree! Along with Christmas tea food, music (piano & Christmas carols & record player), Christmas games & fun, & Christmas presents. Also, Mr. Huntington gave out his Christmas bonuses to his employees; sometimes he gave gold coins (we were informed by Alfonzo Gomez – the Huntington Head Butler/Valet).

In 1919, at the San Marino Ranch, Mr. Henry E. Huntington employed 110+ people on the Ranch. This very large number of employees was due largely to building “the Library Building” (1919 & 1920). Looking at the Huntington’s Ranch payrolls (SMR & No. 2 where some of them were paid): At this time with the traveling servants, the Huntington’s had about 15-25 In-house staff (1919-1920) people depending on the year. All these employees lived on cottages sprinkled around the Huntington’s Mansion property. In the Huntington mansion lived, Mr. Angus McGillvary (Head Butler until he retired) & Mr. Alfonso Gomez (HEH’s valet & 2nd Butler then Head Butler), several of the Huntington’s Under-Butlers or Footmen: Mr. Jas. Temple, Miss Jeanne Reifer (ADH’s Ladie’s maid) Mr. George Hapgood (HEH’s personal secretary) & Miss Caroline M. Campbell (ADH’s personal secretary) Document : HEH Collection HEH 8/9 (San Marino Ranch Papers) & Huntington Mansion – No. 2 NYC papers at Huntington Library, San Marino, CA

Huntington Hotel, Pasadena CA

In 1914, Mr. Henry E. Huntington bought the Wentworth Hotel in Pasadena, CA. He renovated it – and renamed it the Hotel Huntington in Pasadena, CA (in Oak Knoll neighborhood). They had several tea rooms at the Hotel Huntington, proper English tea room, & Japanese Tea Room, also. If Mrs. Arabella Huntington’s staff was too taxed with house guests & entertainments; the Hotel Huntington could have easily catered the Huntington’s Christmas tea event(s), so the kitchen staff was not working at an Christmas tea event, they were suppose to be enjoying.

Christmas Decor at the Huntington Mansion– San Marino Ranch, CA:

In the 1920’s, Arabella & Henry “Edwards” Huntington’s elegant tall Christmas tree was in the Huntington Mansion. It was located in the middle the main hallway foyer; located in the middle of the grand double staircase. A red poinsettia tree maybe in the conservatory. Christmas Tea buffet would have been served in the Huntington Dining-Room, probably buffet style. A Large collection bright & showy red Mexican poinsettias decorated inside & outside of the Huntington Mansion on the Ranch. Large wreaths like the Boys Republic “Della Robbia” wreaths (1920’s) could have been used for all the numerous doors around the 1st floor of the Huntington Mansion. Ranch employees also could have made there own Christmas wreaths with their fragrant ranch greens & fruit, like apples & lemon & oranges (a nod to Mr. Huntington’s orange groves). So many doors – located on all the Huntington double front doors, terrace doors & others. The Huntingtons had 6 front doors to decorate, by the Porte Cochere, off the Loggia, & off the Terrace, & maybe the Dining-Room French doors. On the large main hall Christmas tree, large Parisian ornaments “as big as grapefruits” (the Huntington Library guards told me)! Christmas Tea given to all the Huntington ranch employees, in-house staff, & the Huntington traveling servants entourage on Christmas Day.

Mr. & Mrs. Henry E. Huntington’s Christmas Day Tea:

Beverages & Tea Blends (Huntington’s San Marino Ranch) :

Lipton’s Tea (Orange Pekoe tea)

Huntington Hotel Special “Christmas Tea Blend” (Black tea Earl grey or Darjeeling tea, cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, & orange peels)

Children Christmas Punch (Red) with Ginger Ale & Hawaiian punch (Bright red & perfect for a Christmas tea); Ginger ale was a favorite of HEH)

Adult Libations (SMR):

Champagne Punch with rum & brandy

Savories & Canapes (SMR):

Caviar Canapes (with chopped hard boiled egg, minced onion, & baby chives) in small round of toasted bread), a favorite of the Huntington’s

Cheese Puff ( the easy way to make a “Cheese Puff” is a mixture of mayonnaise, finely chopped onion, & parmesan cheese; blend mixture in a bowl & spread it on small 1 1/2 ” round (cookie cutter) of white bread. Bake 425 for 15 mins on cookie sheet until golden and bubbly. Serve on a doily- lined silver platter with Christmas cocktail napkins. If Roquefort cheese was added, it become a Gilded Age – “Roquefort Puff.”

Roquefort Cheese Ball with whole almonds (Cream cheese or goat cheese, Roquefort cheese, butter, garlic clove, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, herb salt) with roasted whole almonds to look like a pinecone – super cute.

Stuffed mushrooms with cheese canapes

Tea Sandwiches (SMR):

Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches (chicken, mayonnaise, capers smashed, celery, squeese of lemon juice, French Tarragon or Baby chives or sweet basil chopped fine)

Deviled Egg Salad tea sandwiches (fresh hard-boiled Ranch eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard with minced baby chives) or open face with chives on top

Black Olive & Walnut tea sandwich (with orange zest & cream cheese)

Mr. H. E. Huntington’s favorite cheese sandwich (McClaren’s Roquefort or cheese spread or Sharp cheddar slices, with mayonnaise & Dijon mustard)

Tea Scones or Biscuits (SMR):

“Christmas Cream Scones” with San Marino Ranch Orange Marmalade & Devonshire Cream (or Heavy Cream whipped until almost butter & add a little super fine sugar) (recipe at the bottom of this blog)

Virginia Biscuits with thinly sliced Virginia Ham & Dijon mustard (Mrs. Huntington with special order Virginia Ham & crunchy & large Virginia Peanuts from Virginia)

Ranch Buttermilk Biscuits with Sweet Ranch Butter or Raspberry or Loganberry Jam or San Marino Ranch Orange Marmalade

Devonshire or Clotted Cream & Jams:

San Marino Ranch Orange Marmalade (SMR)

Loganberry Jam (SMR)

San Marino Ranch Orange Blossom Honey (SMR)

Sweets & Teacakes (SMR):

Mrs. See’s Candy Chocolate BonBons or Chocolate-Covered Honeycomb

California Orange Cake or “Gateaux Orange” (pound cake sliced with layers of orange marmalade & drained canned mandarin oranges with Royal icing spiced mixed with a little orange juice & orange zest and topped with more mandarin oranges. ) This was a cake listed on a menu at the Hotel Huntington in Pasadena, CA in 1924. HEH built the Hotel Huntington open it up in 1914.

Rum Cake (Chocolate, Lemon or Orange)

Peppermint Candy Canes (maybe giving out to the little children, if Santa Claus arrived with a bag of gifts)

Huntington Mansion “Honey Spice Bars” with Royal Icing (Huntington Family recipe by the Huntington dessert chef, Mrs. Kley)

Bullocks Pumpkin Ginger Bread with Cream cheese (Bullocks Tea Room Pasadena, 1920)

Zucchini-Nut Bread

English Christmas Tea Menu (English theme) (London)

If Mr. & Mrs. Henry E. Huntington (Arabella) were hosting English guests like Mr. Joseph Duveen (1922 & 1924) or Mr. Birley the portrait artist (1924) or Princess Clara Hatzfeldt (1920’s) at the San Marino Ranch their teas might have leaned towards a English Tea.

Tea Blends (London):

Ridgeway English Tea “Her Majesty’s Blend) – (a combination of India tea & Ceylon tea making Orange Pekoe Tea)

Prince of Wales Tea (1921) – (a mixture of black tea & gunpowder green tea with blueberries or currants added). Typically this tea is served with scones designed for Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, after abdication he was Duke of Windsor.

Tea Scones (London):

Claridge’s Apple Cinnamon Scones (Claridge Hotel London England, H.E. Huntington stayed there as a guest of Joseph Duveen in June of 1913)

English Cream Scones with Devonshire Cream or Clotted cream, Raspberry Jam, & Lemon Curd

Homemade “Devonshire Cream” Recipe: 1 pt. heavy cream with 3 T. superfine sugar. In a medium bowl, add cream & sugar. With an electric blender, whip the cream until it is almost the consistency of butter. Place in a fancy fine bone china bowl or crystal bowl & place saran wrap over. Place in refrigerator until ready to use at your tea party.

Savories (London):

English Sausage Roll (sausage wrapped in puff pastry & baked) take a sausage & roll it up in puff pastry or Pillsbury dough rolls & bake. Serve with English mustard or Dijon mustard.

Mushroom Canapes in puff pastry, or a petit tart with minced mushrooms & cheese

Tea Sandwiches (London):

Bookmaker’s Tea Sandwiches (made with thinly sliced steak with creamy horseradish (mix with sour cream) or butter or grainy or Dijon mustard on a crusty petit French baguette; sometimes with crispy onions

English Coronation Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches (Cooked roasted chicken, mayonnaise with apples, red onions, raisins or chopped grapes, cashews or sliced almonds. Sauté shallots in butter, add curry powder, Major Grey mango chutney, apricot jam, lemon juice, s/p. [Note: It is highly-likely that Mrs. Arabella D. Huntington went to King Edward VII Coronation in 1902 at Westminster Abbey, London, England.]

English Cucumber & Dill Tea Sandwiches (soak the sliced English cucumbers in champagne vinegar 1st, dry off & make sandwiches, by buttering the bread or use cream cheese, sprinkle with fresh minced dill)

English Salmon & Cream Cheese & Dill tea sandwiches on rye or dark bread (Served at the London Ritz Carlton)

Sweets (London):

Petit Lemon Curd tart with a fresh raspberry on top

Petit Mincemeat tart with pecan on top

Petit Apple Tart

Christmas Tea Menu at “Huntington Homestead” estate at Throgg’s Neck Westchester Co. NY (TN)

Berry & Citrus Tea Blend: Dried Cranberry, dried raspberry & strawberries, rose petals, & dried orange peel (Use a french coffee press when using fresh, less messy). a festive red tea.

Hot Apple Cider, Spiced

Hot French Cocoa

Tea Sandwiches (TN):

Lobster& mayonnaise tea sandwiches

Virginia Ham tea sandwich on Virginia Biscuits with Dijon Mustard

Turkey & Cranberry Chutney or raspberry jam tea sandwich

Southern Pimiento Cheese Spread Tea Sandwich (Philadelphia whipped cream cheese, soft butter, herb salt or garlic salt and 1 can pimientos, drain and chop)

Breads & Tea Scones (TN):

Cranberry Bread with orange zest

Devonshire cream or Clotted cream

Raspberry Jam or San Marino Ranch Pomegranate Jelly

Desserts & Sweets (TN):

Petit pecan tarts (small bitesize) also called “Pecan tassies”

Petit Apple tart

Candies & Cookies (TN):

Oatmeal Raisin cookies,

Peanut Butter cookies

French butter cookies

Ginger Snaps: favorites of Mr. H.E. “Edwards” Huntington

Christmas Tea Menu in San Francisco, CA (SF)

Tea Blend from the Palace Hotel, SF, CA

Savories & Tea Sandwiches (SF) :

Pacific coast – Crab Puff Canapes on bread toasts – or SF Crab Sandwiches on English muffin “Crab Melts” : mixture of crabmeat, finely minced celery & onion, red or green bell peppers, green onions, garlic powder, shot of tabasco, parsley or French tarragon, & mayonnaise. Spread on a English muffin & top with parmesan or cheddar cheese. Broil until golden brown & bubbly. Serve with a side salad for luncheon or tea.

Foie Gras tea sandwich (from the Palace Hotel, SF, CA)

Crabmeat & mayonnaise tea sandwich on sourdough bread -crust removed (Traditional sandwich in San Francisco, CA)

Sweets (SF):

Huntington Mansion “Petit fours” (a small square bitesize of cake with chocolate gauche or Royal icing as the frosting.) Often a petit four has a symbol on top or an initial for a celebration. We have seen this dessert on the Southern Pacific banquet menu located at Collis & Arabella Huntington Mansion 1020 California St. Nob Hill SF, California.

Petit Napoleans

Christmas Tea Menu (abroad a ship)

Tea blend of Darjeeling Tea or Earl Grey

Savories & Tea Sandwiches (Ship):

Virginia Ham Sandwich on Biscuits (served on S. S. Olympic 1922)

Shrimp & Dill Tea Sandwich on a croissant (with mayonnaise, & dill)

Scones (Ship)

Biscuit or “Cream Scone” with currants served with Devonshire Cream, Raspberry Jam, Apricot Jam, & Black berry Jam

Sweets (Ship):

Chocolate French Bonbons

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries “Tuxedo”

Assortment of petit pecan tarts & petit fours (small iced cakes)

Nancy’s Best “Christmas Cream Scones”

These are amazingly delicious cream scones that rise high. You can serve them for Christmas Morning Breakfast Tea or Afternoon Tea.

2 c. Flour

2 t. Sugar

1t. Salt

1 T. Baking powder

1 C. Heavy cream

Preheat oven to 425@. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add the heavy cream, slowly make a soft dough. On a floured board, knead gently to retain the air needed to let scones rise. Roll out to 1/2″ thick. Cut dough into 2″ round or heart-shaped cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, leaving 1/2″ space in between each scone. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately while hot. Serve with English Devonshire Cream or Clotted Cream & Raspberry Jam, Orange Marmalade,& Lemon Curd. I have also added grated ginger to Lemon Curd or Lemon Yogurt and Ginger is also fantastic!! Let cool. If you want to warm them up, you can put in microwave for 20 seconds to heat up. If giving as gifts: package into cellophane bags & label & tie with a pretty red ribbon.