Bring your sweetheart, your family or your friends to Afternoon Tea at the Marietta Community House and you'll support the nonprofit's mission while enjoying the charm of the historic site and a variety of tasty treats.

Afternoon Tea will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Marietta Community House, 264 W. Market St. The menu will feature a variety of savory and sweet dishes with a selection of teas, said Liz Garner, board member of the organization.

"We're always looking for fundraising ideas," she stated. "Several years ago, we did a progressive tea, and it was very popular, so we thought we'd try this event." She added that the Marietta Community House hosted an afternoon tea previously years ago.

Proceeds from the tea will be used for ongoing maintenance work around the property. "There are always so many projects that need to be done," Garner shared.

Built in 1871 by Dr. John Huston for his nephew, the home remained a private residence until 1909, when it became a sanitarium that administered rabies vaccines to children. In 1919, as World War I was ending, Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Hiestand purchased the building and donated the house to the community of Marietta, dedicating it in the memory of their son, Lt. Benjamin Hiestand, who had died while serving in the military. Over the years, the building has housed an American Legion post, a public library, a well-baby clinic, a soup kitchen and the Pennsylvania School for the Arts, among other organizations. It now serves as a wedding and special event venue, with a focus on a variety of community events throughout the year, including an annual Veterans Day celebration and a garden tour.

Garner invites anyone looking for a fun afternoon out to come to the tea.

"It's going to be a wonderful time to enjoy tea in a beautiful, historic house in Marietta," she said. "You can spend time connecting with your friends and family over tea."

She also encourages anyone who wants to dress up for the event to wear something fancy, but she added that casual attire is also welcome. Adults and well-behaved children age 4 and older are invited to attend the tea.

Tickets are limited and are available at http://tinyurl.com/y3zapv3h. For more information, visit https://mariettacommunityhouse.org or search for "The Marietta Community House" on Facebook.