The Hunter Mansion is a historic icon located in the heart of the City of Newton. Built in 1900, the home has three fireplaces and the interior woodwork is beautifully ornate. There is an open staircase in the front foyer, beamed ceilings in the dining room and century old radiators throughout the home. As you enter into the ornate foyer of this old Victorian home you will feel as if you have taken a step back in time.
Formerly Shay’s Tea Room and Gifts, the property was recently purchased by Brock and Rae Waleska.
Both were born and raised in Iowa; attended the University of Northern Iowa and then moved out of state for the next 10 years. During this time Rae started a company called Murder n’ Mayhem that provided murder mystery entertainment. The parties were a hit and Rae’s dreams came true when they moved back to Iowa with their two boys, and she was able to purchase and open Hunter Mansion so she could host murder mystery parties and other special events.
The tea room is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. It is best to make reservations, but walk-ins are welcome as well. At The Hunter Mansion you can also reserve their downstairs dining rooms or upstairs party rooms and kitchen for your special events. Their space is perfect for groups of 50 or less and they can also provide on-site catering.
As a tea room, they serve the most wonderfully delicious items that are not like the cuisine on the menus of other typical restaurants. You’ll find entrees such as quiche, sweet chicken salad sandwiches, toasted apple tuna sandwiches, tea room finger sandwiches; and they even have something the gentlemen might think a little more satisfying with a pulled pork sandwich. How about children? Choose from a peanut butter and jelly or grilled cheese sandwich. Don’t forget soup or salad…and then those delicious desserts! And, of course, there’s a plethora of varieties of tea.
This historic beauty houses a tea room, gift shop and moonlights as a special event center. The Hunter Mansion offers many public events from themed tea parties, to fashion shows to murder mystery parties and more. The home is also perfect for private events such as bridal showers, baby showers, holiday parties and children’s birthday parties.
So, let’s talk about some of their special events. They host the Haunted History Tours, the HOPE Fundraiser, a Murder Mystery Dinner…”A Killer Costume Party,” wine tastings and many more for the adults.
But they have great parties for the kids too. How about taking the kids to a Teddy Bear Tea, Tiaras and Teacups, a Princess Tea Party, the Mad Hatter Tea Party, a High Fashion Tea Party or the Sugar and Sprinkles Tea Party. Hunter Mansion Tea Room and Events has something for everybody in the family; even a Craft-tea Time!
For more information on the Hunter Mansion Tea Room and Event Center, or to make your reservations, you should check out its website at www.huntermansion.com; like them on Facebook; give them a call at 641-792-2970 or just stop by at 223 W. Fourth St. S. in Newton.