The New Canaan Historical Society is hosting its 16th Annual Valentine Tea on Tuesday, February 14, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. There will be two tea sittings: At 1:00 and 3:00 pm. At 2:00 pm, Ellen Taylor Sisson, New Canaanite and talented soprano, will entertain with her renditions of favorite love songs.

Sisson has appeared as soloist with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (Sir Neville Marriner, conducting) and in the choruses with many of the world’s leading orchestras. She has sung on The Late Show with David Letterman Show, A Prairie Home Companion, and for the New York City Ballet, to name just a few of her performances..

Attendees will enjoy samplings from a table loaded with petite sandwiches, scones, fancy cakes and chocolates following in the tradition of the earliest teas said to have begun in 1840 by Anna, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford. The ritual began as a way to quell hunger pangs between lunch and dinner. The New Canaan Charity Leagues help with the tea.

Reservations are required. $12 members and $15 non-members. Please call (203) 966-1776.

The New Canaan Historical Society, 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840. www.nchistory.org

The card featured is from The New Canaan Historical Society antique card collection.