The Shepherdstown Community Club will sponsor its 18th Back Alley Garden Tour & Tea on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 & 17, featuring a self guided walking tour of more than a dozen private gardens that are rarely open to the public and an elegant afternoon tea. Incorporated in 1762, Shepherdstown has many fine 18th- and early 19th-century homes. Some of the Garden Tour gardens will be located on the grounds of these homes.

Garden Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday May 16 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday May 17 (rain or shine). The teas are offered from 12 noon to 4 p.m. each day at the War Memorial Building (handicap accessible at German & King streets).

Admission to both the Tour &Tea for the weekend is $20 per person through May 13 and $25 after that. The admission ticket is good for unlimited entry to the gardens both days but can be used for only one tea, either Saturday or Sunday.

The Shepherdstown Community Club sponsors this event, and net proceeds are used to support two important community resources the Club owns: the historic War Memorial Building and Morgan’s Grove Park.

Tea is served in fine china cups and saucers from the Shelley A. Marshall Foundation. Everyone is given a plate filled with savory bites and desserts of their choosing.

The second floor War Memorial Building ballroom is transformed with abundant fresh flowers and elegantly prepared tea tables.

Local flowers, arranged by Meg Spurlin, are offered for sale at the War Memorial Building with all proceeds going to the Morgan’s Grove Park Walking Path Maintenance Fund.

Advance sale tickets are available in Shepherdstown at the Sweet Shop, the Village Florist & Four Seasons Books (all on German St.) and Yarnability on South Princess St. During the May 16-17 weekend, tickets will be available at the War Memorial Building.

Tour &Tea tickets and more information can also be found on the SCC web site www.shepherdstowncc.org, “click for details” on the home page, then follow prompts for more information. Purchase of tickets through Pay Pal is available on the SCC web site.

Take advance purchase ticket or Pay Pal receipt to the War Memorial Building beginning at 9:30 a.m., Saturday May 16 or 10:30 a.m. on Sunday May 17 to obtain a tour map plus an entrance pass to the tea.