It’s tea time at Liberia

Wearing a vintage green dress with a Battenburg lace-style yoke, Bull Run Mountain resident Madison McVeigh certainly looked the part at the Mother-Daughter Tea at historic Liberia Mansion on Saturday

And with her knowledge of American History, the 9-year-old probably could have played the part of one of the period-piece actors that helped serve the refreshments and entertain the crowd.

An avid history buff, Madison's mother, Susan, was engrossed in a conversation with her table mates on the recent HBO documentary on former U.S. president John Adams. When listing the first few presidents in order, Susan apparently made a mistake and Madison suddenly chimed in, "No, no, James Monroe was the fifth president."

Turns out Madison was right, having just taken a test on the subject at J.W. Alvey Elementary School in Haymarket. Madison said she was most interested with the costumes of those hosting the event at the former slave plantation built in 1825.

Costumes weren't the only attraction, though.

The event, which lured a capacity crowd of 32, featured a long line of delicious teas such as the "1776" and various sugary delights that included scones and chocolate-covered strawberries.

The event also featured a Victorian Fashion Show, traditional Southern songs such as "Camptown Races" and "Goober Peas" and 19th-century ways to flirt with your man using only a fan and a facial expression.

Tunnea Burt, a 51-year-old Maryland resident who sung along to "Goober Peas," had a delightful time Saturday. She recently started a tradition with her daughter-in-law, Michelle Burt, of going to tea parties.

In fact, Tunnea threw a tea party-themed wedding shower for Michelle, who said the event was "spectacular."

A native of Michigan and current resident of Manassas Park, Michelle said she is enjoying the weather in Virginia and the new-found Southern experience of tea parties.

And it was a good way for mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to bond while Michelle's husband and his father spent their afternoon at the adrenaline-fueled action movie "Iron Man."

Newly hired Manassas Museum grant writer and Saturday's "flirtatious fan lady" Vina Farmer said men were certainly welcome to come. But Farmer wasn't so sure she could have drug her 16-year-old son to the event.

"He would have come up with some [other] suggestion," Farmer laughed.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-369-5738 or .