The Enormous Pennsylvania Tea Room Where You Can Sip, Shop, And Wander For Hours Before 2026 Ends
Eight rooms of shopping sit inside one roughly 9,000-square-foot house, and lunch arrives on a tiered tray. That combo alone had me reading every detail I could find.
The tea samplers change with the months, carrying names like Strawberry Fields and Cold Day Cozy.
Stand at the bottom of the staircase, and you can look up forty feet to the third floor. I like a building that shows off a little.
The house dates to the 1800s, with parquet floors and marbleized fireplaces still in place.
This Pennsylvania stop mixes Victorian charm with scones, sandwiches, and a coffee counter that opens early. I believe that’s a rare mix for one address.
A Victorian House Big Enough To Get Pleasantly Lost In
Most tea rooms fit in a storefront. The Strawberry Tree Gift Shop & Tea Room occupies a historic 19th-century Victorian home at 578 State Street in Curwensville.
That’s a lot of character for scones and shopping. The building is described as an Italianate Victorian house associated with Abram Gates, a local hardware entrepreneur, and dating to the 1890s.
The home’s parquet floors and marbleized fireplaces preserve some of the craftsmanship that makes older Pennsylvania houses so interesting.
There’s an important distinction in the building’s history. Earlier descriptions of The Strawberry Tree refer to a different property at 240 State Street.
That house was built in 1835 by William and Jane Irvin and measured approximately 9,000 square feet.
The 1835 construction date and 9,000-square-foot measurement therefore shouldn’t be applied to the current location.
What matters for visitors is how much space there is to explore. The tea room occupies part of the house, while the gift shop offers eight rooms of shopping across two floors.
Plan for more than a quick lunch stop here. Between eating, browsing, and simply admiring the old architecture, a visit can easily stretch longer than expected.
Comfortable shoes are a smart call. Stairs and multiple rooms mean you’ll be moving around a fair bit, which conveniently makes room for dessert later.
Historic Details Worth A Closer Look
Old houses have a way of making people stop mid-step and look around. At The Strawberry Tree, the architectural details are part of the experience.
The current tea room occupies a historic Victorian house on State Street, with features that recall Curwensville’s 19th-century history.
Down at floor level, the details keep coming. Parquet floors and marbleized fireplaces hold onto the home’s Victorian character.
The decor blends old and new in a smart way. Reclaimed wood tables, soft pastel lighting, and locally sourced artwork on the walls give the rooms a warm, nostalgic feel.
That mix keeps things from feeling like a stiff museum. You can admire a fireplace one minute and settle at a cozy table the next.
The business has an interesting architectural history, although some descriptions online refer to an earlier location.
A historical account of the former property at 240 State Street describes a dramatic view from the staircase’s newel post, looking approximately 40 feet upward to the third floor.
That feature has not been verified at the current 578 State Street location, so visitors should not expect to find the same staircase there.
Fireplace fans should wander slowly. The marbleized finishes reward a closer look, especially if you appreciate craftsmanship from another century.
Honestly, the interior deserves as much attention as the menu. Give yourself a few extra minutes just to look around before you start shopping.
Tiered Trays That Change Their Theme Like The Seasons
Strawberry Fields. Backyard Picnic.
Cold Day Cozy. Those aren’t paint colors, they’re past sampler themes from the tea room.
Samplers rotate monthly or seasonally, served on two-tiered or three-tiered trays. Lunch and dessert versions both exist, so you can choose savory, sweet, or both.
The standard So Sweet Sampler gives a good idea of the spread. Expect cucumber, ham and Swiss, and turkey and provolone tea sandwiches.
Cheese triangles, crackers, and a cheese ball join the party. Carrot and celery sticks with ranch dip, tea cookies, a fresh fruit cup, and a mini cheesecake round things out.
Then there’s the scone with cream, which feels like the true star of any tea tray. Vegetarian options are available too, which is helpful for mixed groups.
Every guest gets an individual tiered tray for afternoon tea. Nobody has to negotiate over the last cookie, and that alone keeps the peace.
Because themes shift through the year, a return trip can feel brand new. It’s a clever reason to come back in a different season and see what lands on the tiers.
Soups, Sandwiches, And A Pie That Stands Mile High
Peanut butter pie sitting on top of a rich chocolate brownie sounds like a dessert designed by a very happy kid. The Strawberry Tree serves exactly that, finished with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
It’s called mile-high, and the name sets expectations nicely. Sharing is allowed, though nobody will blame you for skipping that idea.
Beyond the samplers, the kitchen focuses on homemade food. Freshly made soups, salads, and sandwiches fill out the lunch side of the menu.
That gives groups some flexibility. One person can go full tea tray while another keeps it simple with a soup and sandwich.
Lunch runs on two seatings, Wednesday through Saturday at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm. Reservations are recommended, though walk-ins are welcome.
Booking ahead is the smart move for birthdays or bigger groups. Seatings can fill, and a planned table means more relaxed time for eating and browsing.
Save room if dessert is calling your name. The brownie-and-pie combo is the kind of finish that turns a nice lunch into a story you’ll repeat on the drive home.
Your Morning Latte Has A Fancy Victorian Address
Early birds get more than worms here. The Coffee Shoppe opens at 6:30 am, long before the tea room starts pouring.
It runs Monday and Tuesday until 11:00 am, then stretches to 2:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Hours can shift, so a quick check before visiting is wise.
A full coffee menu covers the basics and then some. Signature drinks include the Velvet Caramel Latte, which sounds about as cozy as a drink name can get.
Busy mornings get easier too. Online ordering with curbside pickup lets you grab coffee without leaving the car.
That makes the house useful on ordinary weekdays, not just special occasions. A latte on the way to work beats a gas station cup by a long stretch.
Summer brings Saturday breakfasts as well, with times that can change depending on weather. It’s worth watching their announcements during warmer months.
Here’s a tip for planners. Start with coffee in the morning, browse the shop, then slide into a lunch seating for a full day under one roof.
Eight Rooms Of Shopping Means Pacing Yourself
Shopping at The Strawberry Tree Gift Shop & Tea Room isn’t a quick lap around one display. Eight curated rooms are dedicated to browsing.
That’s the real secret behind wandering for hours. Each room offers another chance to find something you didn’t know you needed.
The focus leans toward classic home decor in vintage and farmhouse styles. Displays update with each season, so the shelves never feel frozen in time.
Collections cover Christmas, Fall, Spring and Easter, Summer, and Valentine’s Day. Ornaments get their own spotlight, and an Everyday collection fills the gaps between holidays.
A Ladies Boutique adds another layer for anyone hunting clothing or accessories. It’s handy for finding a gift and something for yourself in one trip.
Gift hunters will appreciate the one-of-a-kind treasures mixed throughout. Birthdays, housewarmings, and holidays all have options here.
Pacing matters with this many rooms. Browse before lunch, then circle back afterward for anything you can’t stop thinking about.
Budget a little extra time, and maybe a little extra trunk space. Seasonal decor has a sneaky way of hopping into shopping bags.
Princess Teas, Superheroes, And A Very Cozy Book Club
Tiaras and capes have both had a place at this tea room. The Strawberry Tree has hosted children’s Princess Tea parties and Train to be a Super Hero lunches.
That’s a fun balance for families. Kids get to dress up, play a role, and feel like the guest of honor.
Little artists haven’t been left out either. Past Children’s Sip and Paint events mixed creativity with treats and princess-themed fun.
Grown-ups have their own gatherings too. The tea room advertises a book club that brings readers together to discuss popular books while enjoying something sweet.
Past selections have included The Winter People, Hidden Pictures, and Where the Crawdads Sing.
The business does not currently publish a confirmed recurring schedule for the book club, so contact the tea room or check its announcements for upcoming dates.
Seasonal decor workshops round out the lineup. Past sessions have included pumpkin centerpieces and Christmas wreaths, so you could leave with something handmade.
These events help turn the house into a community hub, not just a lunch stop. They also make great excuses to visit again throughout the year.
However, past events aren’t necessarily on the current calendar. Check availability and booking requirements before planning a trip around a particular activity.
Got a little one with a birthday coming up? If another themed tea is scheduled, a grand Victorian house could make an especially memorable setting.
Bring The Tea Trays To Your Own Big Day
Love the samplers but need them somewhere else? Catering takes the tea room’s style beyond the Victorian walls.
Services cover weddings, corporate gatherings, and private celebrations. The menu features a curated selection of sweet and savory bites.
Custom sampler trays are part of the offering. That means your guests can enjoy the same tiered-tray charm without everyone squeezing into one dining room.
Bridal showers seem like a natural fit. So do baby showers, retirement parties, and office events that deserve something nicer than a sad deli platter.
Planning early makes sense for any catered event. Share guest counts and any dietary needs up front so the menu works for everybody.
The tea-party theme also helps with decorating. Tiered trays look pretty on their own, which saves effort on centerpieces.
Hosts in this part of Pennsylvania have a sweet option close to home. Little sandwiches and mini desserts tend to disappear fast, so order generously.
It’s a smart way to share the experience with people who haven’t visited yet. Who knows, they might book a lunch seating afterward.
Make A Whole Day Of Curwensville While You’re There
Mountains, a river, and a lake all sit close to your tea.
Curwensville rests among the Allegheny Mountains along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
You’ll find the house at 578 State Street, Curwensville, PA 16833. It’s roughly 20 minutes from I-80, which makes it an easy detour on a road trip.
Curwensville Lake is the big outdoor draw nearby. Swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, biking, disc golf, and camping are among the activities associated with the recreation area.
However, many lake facilities operate seasonally. Swimming and camping are primarily warm-weather activities, and visitors planning a trip in November or December should confirm which facilities remain available.
The area’s hiking trails, scenic landscapes, and opportunities for outdoor photography can still make an appealing addition to an autumn or early-winter visit, subject to weather and access conditions.
History fans can look into visiting the Korb House Museum, although checking its current opening arrangements before traveling is advisable.
Timing matters for this trip. Lunch seatings run Wednesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., so plan your Pennsylvania outing around those days.
With 2026 drawing to a close, there’s still time to book a lunch seating and explore this historic town.