Over the Teacups celebrates 125 years

Current and former members of Gettysburg’s Over the Teacups, along with Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing , celebrated the book club’s 125th Anniversary on Monday evening. In attendance was Carol Heiser, the longest-serving member of the group.

Over the Teacups was founded in 1899 by seven Gettysburg women who met in the home of Mrs. P. M. Bikle on the campus of Gettysburg College.

The emcee for the 2024 Celebration was Janet Morgan Riggs, former President of Gettysburg College. Teacups member Nancy Chambers introduced Frealing, who spoke about her affinity for books. She recalled that her mother took her as a young girl to the Adams County Library to borrow books. The library building eventually became the Gettysburg municipal building where Mayor Frealing now serves.

Mayor Frealing presented Teacups with a proclamation declaring June 3 “Over the Teacups Day.”

Board member Temma Berg introduced Karen Drickamer, retired Director of Special Collections and College Archivist of Gettysburg College, who spoke about Anna Jane Moyer, her predecessor at the college. Drickamer also talked about her research into Civil War archives and Moyer’s research into the College’s archives to trace its history, especially of women students.

Riggs closed the celebration by asking the question, “What do you value in being a member of Teacups?” The members offered a variety of answers.

In the late 1800s, Former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote series of papers about a group of friends who met regularly to discuss a variety of topics, ranging from personal reflections to social and scientific issues. The club was called Over the Teacups. Each meeting began with a quotation offered by each member, followed by a program chosen and presented by a member, and concluding with a discussion of current events.

At the time of its founding in Gettysburg in 1899, Teacups members met every week. Each member was required to present four programs a year and to entertain many times. There was a heavy fine of 25 cents for any member who did not meet her program obligations, and five cents for not having a current event.

Program topics in the original group ranged from English Poets of the 19^th Century, Woman and her Activities, The Jews, South America, and the History of American Art.