Raise your pinkies and practice your best British accent; it’s tea time at Eugene’s Shelton McMurphey Johnson House.

The Victorian-style house overlooks downtown Eugene and was built in 1888 by Dr. Thomas Winston Shelton and his wife, Adah.  After Dr. Shelton’s death, Adah moved to Portland, leaving the house to her daughter, Alberta, and her husband, Robert McMurphey. In 1950, Eva and Curtis Johnson bought the house. The house has been a Eugene landmark for more than a century, remaining an example of late-Victorian Queen Anne Revival style architecture.

Several times a year, the Shelton McMurphey Johson House staff hosts a seasonal three-course high tea. October’s homemade menu centered around the harvest.

Warm maple pecan scones with Devonshire cream and apple butter came first. After plenty of time to enjoy, visit and savor the scones, course two came, pairing scrumptious apple cheddar sausage balls & Dijon balsamic glaze with stuffed mushrooms and apricot tea. A tea would not be complete without a bit of sweet decadence. The third course welcomed caramel apple cheesecake bites, pumpkin gooey squares and jazzy tea.

With fall nearly in the past, the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House will soon redecorate for the holidays and start preparing for Holiday High Teas, December 1 & 8, 2012. The popular events often sell out; call (541) 484-0808 to reserve your spot and experience the magic of going back in time.