MAC Presents Victorian Week in Cape May

CAPE MAY — Celebrate Cape May’s unique history during the 38th annual Victorian Week, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Cape May, the nation’s first seaside resort, captures the feeling of the City’s “gilded age” with a week of special events and tours including historic house tours, ghost tours, food and wine events, living history programs, lectures, workshops, performances and more from Friday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 14.
New in 2010! Taste, Tour and Vote during the Victorian Week Chocolate Championship Tour & Tasting on Sat., Oct. 9 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit each competitor’s property, sample their signature chocolate dessert and vote for your favorites. Those who turn in completed evaluation cards will get recipes by email. Admission is $25 and $15 for children (ages 3-12).
New in 2010! Murder at the Physick Estate presents “A Halloween Horror Show.” Lives are in danger, and one of them could be yours during Cape May’s new mystery production for the spooky season, “The Unspeakable Secret,” written by Ray Crew.
There are angry, tormented, vengeful souls behind the walls of the Physick Estate…ghosts who are stuck there and cannot leave. They are behind doors and down dark hallways and they are waiting for you. Follow your guide…if you dare… and try to discover just what they want from you! Meet the cast after the performance. Tours are offered at 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 8, Sat., Oct. 9, and Wed., Oct. 13. Admission is $25 for adults and $20 for children (ages 3-12).
Experience the dance moves of the 19th century during Cape May’s Vintage Dance Weekend on Sat., Oct. 9 and Sun., Oct. 10. Vintage Dance Instructor Martha Griffith will teach you the popular ballroom dances of the mid- and late-19th Century at a Vintage Dance Workshop at the Franklin Street School Gym, Franklin St. near Lafayette St., on Sat., Oct. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Then, put your newfound expertise to good use at a costumed Vintage Ball with live music of the period by Spare Parts at Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette St., on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.
On Sun., Oct. 10 at 2 p.m., enjoy an elegant Tea Dance at the Franklin Street School Gym, Franklin St. near Lafayette St., also with live music by Spare Parts. Refreshments are included at the Ball and Tea Dance and Victorian costume is highly encouraged (but not required). An all-inclusive package is available or you can purchase events individually. Dance Weekend Package $95; Ball $35; Tea Dance $25; 3 Workshops $45.
Go beyond the doors of a selection of charming private cottages in the Cape May area that are not normally open to the public during Victorian Week Private Homes Tours on Saturdays Oct. 9 (& 16) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each tour is limited to 300 tickets. Admission is $15 and $10 for children (ages 3-12).
Join a small group of tourgoers for an intimate guided tour of two of Cape May’s charming inns and get
acquainted with Cape May on a Historic District trolley tour where knowledgeable guides present entertaining and educational stories about the nation’s oldest seashore resort during the Victorian Week Sampler Tour on Sun., Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Admission is $20 and $15 for children (ages 3-12).
Step inside a selection of beautifully restored bed and breakfast inns where you’ll gather collecting tips as homeowners introduce you to their unique and interesting collections. The Cape May Homes & Collections Tour is on Mon., Oct. 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $15 and $10 for children (ages 3-12).
Experience a taste of Victoriana on the Cape May Innteriors Tour & Teas on Tues., Oct. 12 and Thurs., Oct. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the interiors of four historic bed and breakfast inns and guesthouses and then enjoy the Victorian tradition of having tea (complete with freshly baked delights) at the historic Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St. Admission is $20 and $15 for children (ages 3-12).
Discover “Victorian Vices at the Emlen Physick Estate” on Wed., Oct. 13. The Victorians’ amazing attitude toward hard drugs (acceptable) and alcohol (unacceptable for women) are revealed on this guided curator tour of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate at 1048 Washington St. Tours are offered at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Each tour is limited to 25 people. Admission is $12 and $7 for children (ages 3-12).
New in 2010! Rob Guldin, the Carriage House’s head chef, invites you to an exclusive cooking lesson and demonstration on Wed, Oct. 13 at 12:30 p.m. Admission for the Carriage House Cooking School & Demonstration is $25 and includes a Gourmet Lunch.
If your ultimate desire is covered in cocoa, you won’t want to miss the Chocolate Fantasy Buffet on Sun., Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Milk or dark, whatever your preference, you can fulfill your chocolate fantasy in the decadence of a completely chocolate buffet at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St. Washington Inn Pastry Chef Kathleen Cressman-Pastiu will be on hand to share the secrets of her trade. Admission is $35.
The ultimate gourmet experience, the Victorian Week Chefs’ Dine-Around, will be held on Thurs., October 14 at 6 p.m. Taste the best of the best as you indulge in a five-course gourmet feast, with wine to accompany each course. Each course is served in one of Cape May’s premier restaurants. A trolley shuttle between restaurants is provided. Reserve early; limited to 34 people! Admission is $125 per person (gratuity included).
If you have a taste for history, you’ll love the Champagne Brunch Walk on Sun., Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
First, build up your appetite with a walking tour of the Historic District, and then enjoy a Southern-style breakfast buffet with mimosas at the historic Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St. Admission is $20 and $15 for children (ages 3-12).
The humorous and murderous Impromptu Players invade the dining room at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., for the Victorian Week Murder Mystery Dinners from Fri., Oct. 8 through Mon., Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. New mystery for 2010! Interact with the cast of suspicious characters and solve the mystery of “Blood on their Hands” as you enjoy a three-course dinner. Admission is $45.
On Tues. Oct. 12 at 12:30 p.m. saloonkeeper Patrick Collins and Jennie Wales, staunch advocate of the temperance movement, invade the Carriage House Tearoom & Café at the Physick Estate for an afternoon Tea and Temperance Debate. Join Dr. Physick as he attempts to maintain decorum during this spirited debate. To drink or not to drink? Admission is $25 and includes an Elegant Afternoon Tea.
Frank and Beth Acker welcome visitors to their historic private home for Cherry House Tours on Friday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 10 through Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Tour this beautiful private home, built in 1849 in the Federal style, situated on Hughes Street, one of Cape May’s oldest residential streets. The lovingly restored home is filled with cherished family mementos, antiques, and country décor. Admission is $10 and $8 for children (ages 3-12).
As Cape May Forum launches its first series with the question “Can humor save the world?” local celebrity Tom Carroll takes you on a Cape May Unzipped Trolley Ride. This humorous and irreverent trolley ride looks at the fun and follies of life in a resort town. Trolley rides are offered Fri. Oct. 8: at 3:15 p.m., Sat., Oct. 9 and Sun., Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Mon., Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. All seats $15.
The grounds of Cape May’s original haunted house, the Emlen Physick Estate, have been transformed for the spooky season. Scarecrow Alley is a highlight of the Estate’s Halloween decorations, with dozens of scarecrows contributed by local groups and businesses. Walk the grounds and vote for your favorite ghoulishly gruesome or foolishly funny scarecrow.
Ballots are available in the Carriage House on the grounds of the Estate. Free admission to the grounds.