The Tea Hive

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Click headings below or scroll down to learn more about The Tea Hive.

The Tea Hive is located in an historic house built in 1793. Inside the renovated farm house, you immediately sense you are in an English Countryside tea house with marvelous hills and beautiful views. The Tea Hive is unique to Sussex County. It is located less than one mile from Newton in the beautiful, bucolic countryside of Fredon, New Jersey. It is a place where one can get away from the hustle and bustle of life and relax and enjoy an elegant tea lunch, a variety of afternoon teas, or just tea for one in the ambiance of the historic house. Tea and refreshments are served on antique china. Each individual has their own teapot filled with their choice of tea from over 30 selections.

When you visit The Tea Hive, and you simply must, you will "bee" in for a rare "tea party" dining experience. At The Tea Hive, the tea not only represents the delightful brews served, but taste, elegance, and authenticity. The Tea Hive is a marvelous combination of English elegance and country charm. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy serving you.

-Watch for our special occasion and holiday teas.
-We do small private functions, parties, meetings, showers, teas, etc.
-We would be happy to work with you to make your party special.
-A special take-out menu is available.

Read below about the rooms available for your enjoyment.

Address: 310 Route 94, Newton, NJ
Phone: (973) 579-7177 Please phone for reservations.
Website: www.teahive.com

Princess Tea Birthday parties for little girls with a "Real Princess"! Really! Please phone for details.
10% off for Red Hatters and To-Go lunches.
Country Brunch on the First Sunday of each month from 10-1 at The Tea Hive.
Please call for reservations.

Reservations are strongly recommended. Each table has been reserved for certain times in order to accommodate everyone. Reservations will be held for 15 minutes. We ask that you respect others who are waiting. Due to pre-arranged seating, we are unable to increase your party size or honor table requests. We are happy to arrange tables near each other for large reservations. Reservations for parties of 6 or more will require a credit card number to guarantee the reservation. Parties who do not arrive and have not called to cancel their reservation will be charged a $25 service fee for loss of the table reservation. Thank you.

THE TEA HIVE IS FOR SALE
Julie is Retiring Soon - Congratulations! & The Tea Hive is For Sale. Please contact the realtor listed below for details.
The Tea Hive Remains OPEN while looking for a new owner.
Turn Key Operation - Includes buildings, property, business, furnishings, equipment, inventory and more $625,000.
Contact: Nancy Battifarano, Century 21, 210 US Hwy 206, Branchville, NJ 07826 (973) 948-5552 x 104 Email

Inside one of the beautiful rooms of The Tea Hive. The Tea Hive has six rooms each with its own ambiance.
The Tea Hive offers six beautiful rooms each with its own ambiance. The Bee's Knees gift shop is located upstairs and offers a variety of tea themed and seasonal merchandise. The Carriage Barn, outside, is open seasonally and offers garden delights and country antiques. The tea room dining areas include The Garden Room - surrounded by flowers; The Victorian Room - a step back in time; and The Linens and Lace Room - quiet and elegant; and more. Room descriptions:

The Garden Room - Have tea and be surrounded by flowers, plants and garden accessories and marvel at the beehive oven built in the late 1700's.
The Keeping Room - Enjoy a taste of yesteryear in the kitchen and keep. Warm yourself in front of the stone hearth and enjoy the view of the Fredon countryside. Marvel at the hand hewn beams and exposed hand pegged truss.
The Victorian Room - Styled after an English tea room. Step back in time as you imagine yourself in the wonderful Victorian era. Enjoy the decor and fine china.
The Linens and Lace Room - Sip your tea and enjoy the quiet, serene, and elegant surroundings in the room filled with the whites and creams of old linen and lace.
The Back Porch - Relax in the summer breezes and surroundings amidst wicker, ferns and ivy.
The Bee's Knees - An intriguing gift shoppe filled with tea related gifts, tea, gourmet foods, cards and decorative items. Something for everyone.

The Tea Hive was known as the James Mattison House. This house was purchased in the late 1700's, probably around 1793, by James Mattison who had come to Sussex County between 1780 and 1785. The farm, a very large parcel with divisions over the years, remained in the Mattison family until at least 1869. An addition was added to the house in the early to mid 1800's.

Older deeds show that the rites of passage probably went from Johnathon Hampton, John Chetwood, John Blanchard, James Morrow, Henry Hoover and then on to James Mattison. Other deeds show that smaller parcels of land were sold off from the original farm.

A man named Samuel Washer owned the farm in the early 1920's; here he raised ducks and geese. He made a pond from one of the numerous springs in the area. When he sold the property, he sold his geese and duck houses in 3 sections of about 30 feet to George Snook, Mr. Bales, and William Commings.

Julianne Shotwell is the current owner of the historic house - now The Tea Hive. She is married to Robert Hunt Shotwell. The historic home fulfilled Julie's dream of owning a tea room; after 32 years in education. Julie is excited to share her dream with you.

The Elegant Tea Lunch
Portioned for one. Take time to enjoy our version of high tea. Sure to please your palate and fill your tummies. Includes 5 courses with mini scones, muffins and sweet breads with spreads. Soup du jour or onion broth, salad of the day, assorted savory tea sandwiches, one of our grand desserts and a pot of tea of your choice from our hot tea menu or a bottomless glass of brewed iced tea. (Flavored ice tea or other beverage substitutions are additional)

Tea Sampler Lunch
Portioned for one. An abbreviated version of the elegant tea lunch with 3 courses, but just as tasty. Includes mini scones, muffins, sweet breads with spreads, assorted savory tea sandwiches, one of our grand desserts, a pot of tea from our hot tea menu or a bottomless glass of brewed iced tea. (Flavored ice tea or other beverage substitutions are additional)

Young Ladies' and Gentlemen's Tea
Portion sized and suited to the palate of children 10 years and younger. Includes mini scones, muffins, sweet breads with spreads, children's tea sandwich of their choice, one of our grand desserts, hot tea, brewed iced tea or a mug of hot chocolate. (Flavored ice tea or other beverage substitutions are additional)
Children's sandwich selections include:
Honey Ham, Roasted Turkey, Tuna, Peanut Butter & Jelly,
Grilled Cheese, Peanut Butter and Fluff, Cucumber,
Strawberries and Cream
We love children at The Tea Hive, but, parents, we need your help to make this a special place for everyone. We ask that small children remain in their seats, quietly in their parent's care while enjoying their Young Ladies' or Gentlemen's Tea. This will enable all of our guests to enjoy the ambiance and the food of The Tea Hive. It will also allow the waitresses to serve hot tea and food safely.
Thank you for your cooperation.

Thank you for all the lovely letters and wonderful comments.

The Tea Hive is beautiful, relaxing, elegant. The food is always wonderful and they offer a great selection of teas, both bagged and loose. Definitely worth the trip from anywhere. This tea room has been very successful for years, so be sure to make a reservation. Their gift shop has a varying selection and always priced right. Highly recommended......Lady Gayle, The Tea House Times, Sparta, NJ

If you are looking for a memorable experience, The Tea Hive offers tea and a whole lot more.~NJ Savvy Living

The Tea Hive - A wonderland of tea parties, gourmet lunches and Victorian ambiance. The Tea Hive is the perfect place to host and cater that special shower, birthday party, anniversary or any other occasion worth celebrating.~Northern Horizons

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Enjoy all your 'Tea House Times' - 2003-present - Site redesigned Nov, 2009