FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 8, 2008

For more information contact:
Bill Clary

(502) 564-4696

YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION?
ELMWOOD INN TEA COMMEMORATES A FAMOUS PARTY

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Kentucky Proud tea is on the shelves of The National Archives gift shop in Washington, D.C., as a reminder of an event that sparked the American Revolution.

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas in Perryville developed a packaged tea using the Hyson tea that was one of those thrown off three British ships into Boston Harbor on Dec. 16, 1773. Elmwood Inn Fine Teas also designed for The National Archives a four-ounce tin with an engraving of the Boston Tea Party and a bit of historical information. The first shipment of 500 tins recently left Perryville for Washington, D.C.

“Thousands of people visit The National Archives every year,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Now many of them will take home a Kentucky Proud product that commemorates a major turning point in American history. I congratulate Elmwood Inn Fine Teas on this high honor.”

The National Archives staff approached Elmwood Inn Fine Teas owners Bruce and Shelley Richardson in early 2007 to research the Boston Tea Party and come up with an appropriate packaged tea. The Richardsons researched the teas on the ships’ manifest and sent samples of each tea to The National Archives.

“Hyson, a green tea, was the staff’s choice because of its flavor and the rising awareness of the health benefits of green tea,” Bruce Richardson said.

“It’s been one of the more interesting private-label projects we’ve undertaken,” said Shelley Richardson. “But I don’t think we’ve ever been more proud of a product we’ve designed. It’s been an honor and a privilege to commemorate this famous event in our nation’s history.”

The commemorative tea and tin may be ordered from The National Archives gift shop by calling (202) 357-5271.

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas are available in gift shops and tea rooms. Teas may be ordered from the company’s Web site, www.elmwoodinn.com.

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