Tea at the Simpson House Inn

Montecito Bank & Trust’s MClub gathered for a sumptuous afternoon tea at the historic Simpson House Inn, built in 1874 by Robert and Julia Simpson – nine years after the Civil War and before the arrival of the railroad, electricity, and indoor plumbing in Santa Barbara. The Victorian Italianate home set the stage for guests like Janet McCann, Hiroko Benko, and Katherine Murray-Morse, who donned hats and relaxed in the living room as they were served tea accompanied by a generous spread of savory pastries, cucumber and egg salad sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and lemon curd, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and more.

Known also as Fabled Gables, the home was later owned byE.P. Dunn, who managed the Arlington Hotel, and then by Katharine McCormick, who had married into the McCormick family of mechanical reaper fame. She expanded the property and used it as a guest house while maintaining the family’s renowned Montecito estate, Riven Rock.

In 1976, Glyn and Linda Davies recognized its uniqueness and purchased it as their home. Their family began a “labor of love,” undertaking an extensive restoration of the Victorian jewel. In July 1985, the Simpson House opened as a bed-and-breakfast inn, and in 1992, both the house and gardens were declared a historic landmark. Today, it remains one of the best-preserved Victorian-era homes in California.

From Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” I took that to heart in my twenties, learning to make the proper pot from my dear 85-year-old Welsh friend, Ceridwen. Weekly tea became our ritual, inviting friends from different cultures to join us.

Since then, I have enjoyed afternoon tea around the globe – on cruise ships, and in local hotels and restaurants – but the Simpson House Inn on Arrellaga Street keeps me coming back time and time again.

“But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.” Jane Austen, Mansfield Park.

Tea lovers included Beverley King, Janet McCann, Katherine Murray-Morse, Hiroko Benko, Barbara Burger, Lawrence & Elizabeth Spann