History of Quilts & Tea
Quilts and Tea’s origin was for a festival to be held annually in November, however over the years it has developed into a committee that would like to see other events during the year related to “Florida Remembered.” Festivals, Workshops and Educational events related to the small town atmosphere of Davenport and rural Florida.
The first annual quilt festival was held November 30 and December 1 from 10 am to 4 pm, in the Davenport Chamber/Community Building, Council Chambers of the Historic City Hall, Nelson Hall and the Fellowship Hall of the Davenport United Methodist Church.
The plaza of Davenport City Hall was the location for the Davenport School of the Arts students on Friday and on Saturday the big band sound of Johnny G’s Orchestra.
The original quilt show was called 1st Annual Block Party Quilt Show and was presented by Heart and Sew Quilters of Davenport and Winter Haven Quilters.
After the tea room of the United Methodist Church was so popular that year the following year it was decided to call the event Quilts and Tea Festival. There are tea rooms, permanent and temporary through out the historic district, along with vendors offering special tea and accoutrements for sale.
Each year some of income from the festival is donated to different charities locally and internationally.
Some of the recipients have been, Davenport United Methodist Church, Davenport School of the Arts Playground, Women of Zambia Habitat for Humanity, Davenport Fire and Police Department, American Cancer Society Breast Cancer, Restoration of Historic Artifacts of Historical Museum and American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Recipients either receive quilts, stuffed animals made by quilters or funds for their particular project.
Each year more and new displays, vendors, demonstrations are added to the event.
Now located throughout the historic district indoor and out makes this a unique festival, not a traditional quilt show.
The annual quilt and tea festival is held the second Friday & Saturday in November each year in the Davenport Historic District from 9:00 to 3:00 each day. Sponsored by the Quilts and Tea Committee, The Davenport Historical Society and Hosted by the City of Davenport.