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Tea Goes Overboard in Yorktown Third annual re-enactment of the Yorktown Tea Party on November 5, 2006 by Caroline Miniscule John Hanna introduces Thomas Prentis Keyhoe, Thomas Page Nelson, Jr. and Danny Diggs, who trace their descendants back over 200 years On December 16, 1773, in response to the hated British Townsend Acts (taxing necessities such as tea) a group of men disguised as Indians boarded vessels in Boston Harbor and tossed the tea overboard. Several cities and towns followed Boston's lead, in particular prosperous Yorktown, who held their own Tea Party on November 7, 1774. Yorktown history enthusiasts decided to re-enact this event two years ago, on the 230th anniversary of its occurrence. 60 lucky people attended this inaugeral event. Last year, the audience numbers climbed to 450. Yesterday, at least 500 people were on hand on a sunny, but chilly November day to see the 3rd annual re-enactment. The event was held behind the Watermen's Museum, which has its own dock. 450 chairs had been set out under an awning facing a small stage and the York River beyond. Behind this were picnic tables for the revelers, and chairs for the York River Symphony Ensemble, which played Colonial music for about an hour before the event began. Children in period costume attended a 'Hospitali-Tea' hosted by 'Martha Washington,' in the Boathouse, also behind the musueum. Food was sold by Women of the Water, La Petite Tea Room of Williamsburg, and more prosaically (and happily for me, since I don't like fish!) from Don's Hotdogs. The event began at approximately 2 pm. After introductions of some of the descendants of signers of the Declaration of Independence, an Invocation (asking for help against the British in the endeavor yet to come) five brief talks were given, before the re-enactment began. The ladies of Yorktown are not forgotten. Two ladies discuss the hardship of doing without tea Gaylord Lockett gave a brief talk on the vessel Virginia, on board which was the hated tea. John Prentis Kehoe then gave a brief talk on his ancestor, Prentis of Williamsburg, who had ordered the tea from England before the coming of the Townsend Acts. The Significance of Tea in Colonial times was then explained by Jean Reitmeyer, bringing home how important tea had been to the Colonists - their one treat. And how dangerous it was for Yorktown's citizens to have a Tea Party of their own, with the possible repercussions from the British crown. After spirited renditions of music by the Fifes and Drums of York Town, the playlets began. In the first, Peggy Turnage and Becky Deal played two ladies drinking tea in an little skit -- drinking tea had been banned, but could be used for medicinal purposes. Next, Thomas Nelson Jr., John Prentiss and Dudley Diggs discuss what to do with the tea that has just arrived (having been ordered months before the ban was called for. After a defiant speech made by the Royal Governor Lord Dunmore, the three men walk along the dock, to the ship, and toss the tea overboard, to cheers from the audience. Coverage of this event appeared in The Daily Press on Thursday, November 2, 2006, with a long article in the Local News: York/Poquoson section. A full color photo showed five of the re-enactors in period costume rehearsing on the beach in Yorktown. On the continuing page was a b&w photo of the two women who had the tea party of their own. There was also an article in the Virginia Gazette (a daily) and the Yorktown Crier (weekly). This year's cast included five descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a few more descendants of signers were present in the audience. Over all, the event went well. I was able to snag a front row seat, but unfortunately on the right side of the stage (facing it) so all my photos and video were slightly angled. Master of Ceremonies Richard "Sandy" Stromberg took pains to point out that the re-enactors were not amateur actors. They were...beginners. However, everyone did a good job. There were a couple of brief flubs, but these simply added charm to the pieces. After the event was over I did not have a chance to speak to the participants. However, I hope interviews will be forthcoming. Expect an article on the creation of the York Towne Tea Party later on this month.