THE INDIAN TEA PARTY

A Pleasant Time with the Indian Girls at Ponemah

The managers of the Indian Girls’ School of the Lincoln Institution, who were recently removed from the city to their new building, at Upper Merion township, gave a “Wolwicayapi” to defray the expenses of its erection. The building, which is a good sized three-story structure, with two large, cool verandas running around it, and kitchen and laundries attached, stands on an eminence in the midst of a large tract of wooded land, about a mile and a half from Wayne. It is a picturesque spot and from the third story of the building an exceedingly good view of the surrounding country for a distance of ten miles can b3e obtained.

The girls, dressed in dark navy blue serge and white aprons, were scattered all over the grounds, their faces wearing a bright, pleased expressed, as though they were greatly enjoying the novelties and pleasures around them. The home is intended as a summer residence and place of recreation. The only work which the girls are required to do is the usual domestic routine. In the rear of the building were several tepees, or wigwams, erected by the Indian girls, one or two of them being painted by a young male Indian artist, who had made up in color and design what was lacking in talent. The occupant of one of the tepees were busily engaged in the sale of hosiery and woolen goods. Another was marked “Menagerie” and contained a collection of animals belonging to C.H. Coket, consisting of Muscovy ducks, Machette bug from Yucatan, Peruvian guinea pig and a Persian cat. A third tent was devoted to a representation of “Rebecca at the Well,” Rebecca being a young and pretty Chippewa, becomingly attired in a red turban, loose white bodice and red skirt. The “well” contained lemonade, which Rebecca retailed to visitors at five cents per glass.

The chapel, which is a large room in the left wing and in which two services are held every Sunday by the Rev. H.P. Chapman, officiating chaplain, was transformed into a fancy fair, where many visitors found plenty to interest them, many of the articles being donated by some of the large stores of this city. In another room, in the right wing, an excellent menu was served by the ladies having this department in charge. “Wolwicayapoi” is a Sioux word meaning an Indian tea party or a festival in the woods.

Source: The Philadelphia Times Wed., Sept. 15, 1886, p. 1