The Daniel Webster Estate and Heritage Center is maintained and entrusted with an all volunteer board that comprise The Daniel Webster Preservation Trust. We are people with many diverse backgrounds and skills. We come together with a common goal to maintain, celebrate and to educate the public of, All Things Webster!
The Estate is available for celebrations such as weddings, special occasion parties as well corporate meetings and seminars. During the first week of December interior and floral designers work their magic and the estate is transformed into a sparkling holiday wonderland. This year our theme is, “Deck the Halls!”
We also have a seasonal tradition of celebrating tea on select Sunday afternoons. Our teas have become a local favorite. With seating beginning at 2PM and the tea lasts until 4PM. Scones and seasonal breads, savories and sweets and that perfect cup(s) of properly made tea are served by Webster volunteers led by Carol Kiburis, President, DWPT.
President of DWPT, Carol Kiburis
Behind the Scenes
Before anyone arrives there are weeks of preparations made prior to the first tea guests’ arrival. The Estate must be prepared for seating, the linens are cared for and all of the silver must be polished. The silver polishing alone can take 5 or 6 people up to three visits to complete.
Behind the Scenes at The Estate
DWPT Board Member, Ann McAleer is our house tea sommelier. Before the first pour of tea, Anne is busy behind the scenes. With a guest list of up to 80 attendees, Ann and her team begin by brewing 32 quarts of tea, or 8 gallons. The tea cups are filled through out a two hour time frame and quite often Ann has had to brew additional 5 quarts!
Judy, a local volunteer helps with serving tea and decorating the house.
The assorted tea sandwiches, scones, seasonal breads, and a variety of desserts command a large presence in the kitchen. There are cucumber finger sandwiches, salad sandwiches, roll ups and more. The volunteers can create and plate up to 480 finger sandwiches to serve on the silver platters.
Silver platters of Tea Sandwiches
Tea bread and desserts are always plentiful. Each with a homemade flair, as if your Aunt or Grandmother had prepared them just for you. Again, this is because the Seasonal Teas are not catered by a restaurant or local caterer. The entire event is produced by your friends and neighbors who volunteer at The Daniel Webster Preservation Estate.
Mickey Carr, Board Member serves tea as the table enjoys assorted desserts.
Board Member, Barbara Carney serves tea to a group of guests.
Annual Seasonal Tea, 2019 Schedule
Please consider joining us for tea this year. Tickets must be reserved please call, 781-834-7818 and book ahead!
The DWPT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and an all-volunteer organization.
The DWPT was formed in 1989 by Jim Cantwell, Michael Donohue and Bob McCracken and incorporated it in February 1990 in order to keep the estate from development and preserve it for public use and enjoyment. Early on the Trust worked with the Historical Commission to secure the house by having it included on the National Registry of Historical Places and Trust.
In 1995, a Town Meeting voted to purchase the house and remaining 14 acres for $500,000. Half of that sum was provided by a MA state grant. The Town, through the Historical Commission and Massachusetts Historical, secured grant money to restore the mansion and in 2005 the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth sponsored a designer show house there. The designers completed the interior decoration and some landscaping of the property. Also in 2005, the town awarded a 3-year lease to the Trust to maintain and continue restoration of the estate and the lease was renewed for 10 years in 2009.
The Daniel Webster Estate 