The 18th annual Back Alley Garden Tour and Tea was a success according to members of the Shepherdstown Community Club who host the event. Hundreds of visitors traveled the sidewalks and back alleys of town to peak into 20 selected properties.

Many sought a quiet place with shade from the heat while others enjoyed the open spread of flowers and expansive lawns.

Traveling to the War Memorial Building, attendees enjoyed a respite from their travels as they sipped hot tea from china cups and tasted delicious sweets and savories.

The cups, part of the Shelley Marshall collection, are loaned each year for the tea. Marshall was killed in the Pentagon on Sept. 11. In an effort to share her love of the tea cups and honor her memory, her husband Donn has made them available for a variety of events.

The proceeds from the Tour and Tea will benefit the War Memorial Building and Morgan’s Grove Park, both owned by the Shepherdstown Community Club.