Friday 25 July 2014

DayTripping: The Carter House

 

The 1810 Carter House Tea Room and Gift Shop
 
The 1810 Carter House Tearoom and Gift Shop is a hidden treasure nestled in the heart of Kingston on the Kingston Peninsula in beautiful Kings Co, NB.  A bit off the beaten track, the Kingston Peninsula is accessible by 3 toll-free ferryboats or overland via Hampton.  About an hour and a half from Fredericton, and 40 minutes from Saint John and Sussex, The Carter House is a delightful destination for daytrippers looking for a refreshing repast after a rewarding trip through some of the most picturesque scenery in all of New Brunswick.
Kings County
 
 
Locating Kings Co. on the Map of NB

The Carter House is an historical building owned and operated by Kingston Peninsula Heritage Inc.  Over the past 4 decades The Carter House has evolved into a charming tearoom and gift shop and a bit of a museum. Read about the history of the Carter House by clicking on this link:  Carter House Tearoom and Gift Shop
1810 Carter House: 874 Rte. 845, Kingston, NB: 506-832-2902
June to August:  Tuesday to Saturday 9:00am to 4:00pm 
September: Saturdays 9:00am to 4:00 
 
The TeaRoom
At the risk of sounding cliché, the interior of The Carter House is charming.  Even on the hottest of summer days, the tearoom is refreshingly cool while the atmosphere is warm and inviting. 

Refreshingly Cool
 

 Warm and Inviting
 
 
As a frequent visitor, I can attest to the excellent quality of food and service. 
A Special Event at Carter House

Take a look at this menu and its prices--a cup of soup for $2.50!  A sandwich for $4.50!  The sandwiches are available on white, brown, whole wheat or honey seed bread.  Honey seed bread?  Yes, it tastes as good as it sounds.  The dessert of the day is $4.50.  That could be strawberry
shortcake, chocolate cake with boiled icing, gingerbread with whipped cream, raspberry cheesecake, a variety of pies etc., etc. 
 
 Carter House Menu 2014
 
 The Carter House aims to serve foods that are local and in season. 
Fruit Tartlets
 
Did I mention that the cooks of Kings County are beyond compare? 
Chocolate Cake with Boiled Icing
 
When was the last time you had a warm cinnamon bun with butter and a hot cup of tea for $3.00? 
  
Cup of Tea
 
 Being a Tea Snob, I will vouch for the tea.  Although my personal favourite is good ole reliable King Cole, the Carter House Blend runs a close second for me.  Delicious. 
Carter House Blend and King Cole Teas

And the array of teas has recently expanded to appeal to the tea adventurer!
Assortment of Teas
 
Most tea drinkers would agree that tea tastes best steeped to perfection in a china pot and served in a delicate cup and saucer.  The Carter House has an eclectic collection of teapots and an endless supply of fine cups and saucers.  You may even request a particular teapot and a favourite cup and saucer from the friendly staff.   
 
Delicate Cups and Saucers
 
 

Collection of Teapots
 
 
 
The Gift Shop
The Gift Shop offers quality items at excellent prices.  Most products are locally made.  Let's take a look.
 
Gift Shop
 
Need a wedding gift?
Crimmins' Pottery
 
A birthday gift?
 
 
 
 Jewellery
 
Button Bracelets
 
How about a baby gift?

Hand-Knit Baby Sweater ($16.00)
 
And for the "Earthy" baby....
Baby Paws ($8.00 a pair)
 
Babies still use bibs, right? 
Bibs
 
Winter will come....
Hand-Knit Socks and Mittens ($8.00 to $20.00)
 
And we will need socks and mittens...
More Mittens
 
A Christmas gift for your Great-Aunt who has everything she needs...
Preserves, Jams, Jellies
 
We all need honey in our pantries....
Honey

Who does not LOVE the St. John River....??
St. John River Society T-Shirts
 
Learn more about this corner of New Brunswick...
Books by Local Authors

A hand-knit baby sweater for $16.00!?  Why buy local?  Why not?  It stimulates the local economy; the money goes to the crafter who is likely to spend it in our community.  And a percentage of every sale goes to The Carter House.  Buying local is environmentally-correct.  The product did not travel half-way around the world; packaging is minimal.

 
Historical Artifacts
When you have finished your lunch in the tearoom and your shopping in the gift shop, you are welcome to take a look upstairs at the historical artifacts.
 
Baby Carriage
 
Doll and Cradle
 
Front Hall
 
Bathroom Artifacts
 
Heritage Gardens
Before leaving the grounds, be sure to take a stroll in the heritage gardens surrounding The Carter House. 
Path with Bench
 
Flower Beds
 
Roses
 
Garden Shed
 
Future Plans
Recently, Kingston Peninsula Heritage Inc. received funding from the provincial government to help with further renovations to The Carter House.  A reception was held to celebrate this announcement. 
 
There was a cake....

a choir.....

 
 dignitaries....
 Kathleen Fullerton, President of KPHI  and Trevor Holder, Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport (fifth cousins)
 
 
Student Employment
Over the years, The Carter House has provided employment for more than 200 local students.  As a matter of fact, I was one of those students employed by Kingston Peninsula Heritage Inc. At age 22, I spent the summer at The Carter House with one other student, building window screens and installing pink fibreglass insulation in the crawlspace under the house.  Now, in my retired 50s, I maintain my connection to The Carter House by selling my mittens in the gift shop. 
The Carter House could not function without loyal volunteers and diligent summer students.  This year's crew is enthusiastic, welcoming, efficient, responsible, and eager to please.  And look how happy they are!

Helen
 
Charlotte and Sarah (second cousins)
 
Matt
 
They look forward to serving you at 1810 Carter House Tearoom and Gift Shop.
 
 
Until Next Time.....

12 comments:

  1. Charming indeed! I don't even really drink tea but I love the teacups. Reminds me of my Nanny.

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  2. I'm sold - a day trip to the KP is in order!

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  3. This description and the photos should really be in the NB weekend papers and in a little pamphlet at the Tourism NB outlets. Nicely done, Barb!

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  4. very good article, and I, too, can also attest to the food being well worth the price. However, please add Peninsula Princess to Kathy's titles. Presidents may come and go, but the PP is forever!!!

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    1. Peninsula Princess does have just the right ting to it!!

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  5. Terry and I should be arriving in NB July 29 or 30. I definitely have a lunch planned at Carter House and Terry is so looking forward to an array of desserts. I did not realize that they have expanded it so much since my last visit (5 - 6 years ago?). Looking forward to exploring the new sections and purchasing some of the delightful homemade items!

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    1. You will be welcomed with open arms, I'm sure!!

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  6. I had hoped to get my sisters there this visit but they hadn't seen much of the Maritimes in general so we did big sweeping trips but a cup of tea in the KP is still on my list for this summer.

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  7. Hope to see you in the 'hood, Mary!

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