This small, circular piece of petit point embroidery was carefully crafted circa 1860. Pieces such as this were the prized possessions of the young ladies who studied needle arts in this early period.

Most of these pieces had their beginnings in classes taught at places such as the Palmetto Collegiate Institute on Hendrix Street in Lexington. Many families would send their children to finishing schools where they would learn the skills needed to create fine needle arts such as tatting, embroidery, quilting and smocking.

These would be needed to decorate the home and make clothing for the family as the children grew to adults.

Many of you likely have some pieces from your own family featuring these impressive details. I am sure many of you remember your grandmother’s lace doilies made by a family member.

We are only a few generations away from these needle arts being a big part of everyday life. Gloves, socks, garments, bonnets, curtains, rugs were cleverly crafted and decoratively embellished by those lucky enough to have attended a school such as Lexington’s Palmetto Collegiate Institute.

Town officials saved this historic gem and adapted it into a space that can be enjoyed by many generations to come. Take a drive down Hendrix Street and you can see for yourself one of our town’s many successful adaptive re-use projects. Along with the structure, the stories of the students who once attended school there can be seen in photographs, garments and pieces of lace.

Many of you reading this article have relatives who attended this school and are now a part of its history.

The petit point tea stand pictured in this article was made from a small piece of embroidery which was surrounded with a footed bronze doré frame with a glass cover. This glass cover allowed the stand to be used for a hot tea pot. This protected the table underneath from heat and water.

The art of making tea would have been taught as well as needle arts so the idea of using them together was born.

This stand belonged to a long time Charleston friend from England. Each time I visited she would serve tea from her silver tea pot which she rested on this stand.

We would spend hours looking from her lower King Street parlor windows. We could just glimpse the ocean. She would tell stories of her life in England and Charleston.

I never tired of listening to her. She often served the most wonderful tea treats.

One of the most decadent was her chocolate covered candy. It is incredibly good and easy. I make this every year for the holidays and know at least 10 people in Lexington who look forward to me dropping by with a box full at their homes in early December.

Elizabeth’s Tea Candy

4 boxes of 10X sugar-sifted 3 times

3 sticks of soft, salted butter

4 tbsp clear vanilla

Mix all ingredients into a soft paste, roll into ball about the size of a grape and refrigerate on waxed paper until firm. This makes about 100 balls.

Melt 4 blocks of Bakers unsweet chocolate and 2 blocks of Candy Quick or Almond Bark together as the packages direct. Mix until smooth and silky. Add a pat of butter as it begins to cool and thicken.

With a toothpick, dip and completely cover each candy in the chocolate and refrigerate on cookie sheets covered in waxed paper until set. Serve each candy in a small, fluted foil paper candy cup and garnish with a curl of orange zest. Prepare to gain weight!

In the last 17 years in Lexington, I have learned of the many wonderful places and people who crafted this community. It was interesting to learn that the Palmetto Collegiate Institute was where the finer things in life were taught and celebrated. Your families set the standards for all to follow.