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HEARTHSIDE HOUSE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER
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"The House That Love Built" Vol. 12, Issue 1 Jan. 2018
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Now that the holidays are behind us, everyone has had the chance to catch up on rest and face the new year with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. Same here! One look through this newsletter will show just how packed with events Hearthside was during the last few months. Really, we barely had a chance to catch our breath in between! Each and every event was a success, with more visitors than expected. All the exposure we've gotten in the media, and especially by
Yankee Magazine, has certainly contributed to the increase in visitor counts. It's hard to believe that Hearthside has been singled out by Yankee
three times in the past year in various "Best Of" categories, the latest being in this month's issue.
Putting on so many top-notch events is extremely labor intensive, and of course there is no staff, so I want to
thank all the volunteers who pitched in to make our 2017 season so successful. Not only do we enjoy presenting various pieces of history, but seeing the
reaction of our visitors as they experience it is simply the
best reward for all the hard work.
Any schedule filled with so many events has to run smoothly; there just isn't much room for change. So the last thing we ever imagine is having to postpone or cancel an event. That really causes a nightmare. Yet, that is just what happened this year. Not once, but 4 times! We had to postpone the
Fox Hunt scheduled for June because of wet grounds to be held in September. Then it was a postponement of our
Evening with Roland Comtois, due to illness but that was rescheduled for two weeks later. Yet another postponement happened with our
Victorian Dinner Party scheduled for Oct. 7 because of low ticket sales. Turns out everyone had plans to be out of town for the Columbus Day weekend. That dinner party is now being planned to take place in the spring. As if that weren't enough, there was a snowstorm on Dec. 9 which cancelled our
Christmas candlelight tour, but luckily we were able to move it to the following weekend Dec. 16. To say I'm relieved that the 2017 season is behind us is an understatement! That said, I'm really excited about the upcoming season in 2018.
We have a
wonderful opportunity ahead of us to move Hearthside into its
next phase of development. What started as an effort to preserve this historic house has grown to the point of our organization spreading its wings to encompass other historic sites just down the street at Chase Farm Park. With a newly-restored
one-room schoolhouse and a
newly-constructed Visitor's Center, we are now poised to be able to offer half and full-day tours for groups and schools where they can visit a
house museum, blacksmith shop, one-room school, an early mill, and have the
beautiful landscape of the park to enjoy and learn any number of subjects, along with restroom facilities and lunch area to allow for extended visits.
Friends of Hearthside
welcomes the involvement of new volunteers to join with our efforts in these new endeavors at each of the sites. We are kicking off a
Volunteer Campaign to increase our numbers, starting this Sat. with our Friends meeting (see article below). It's an exciting time to be involved at the
beginning stages of this next phase of development. I hope you will consider giving of your time and skills to help out.
The new season awaits. Plans are being finalized by our volunteers at this weekend's meeting. Be sure to watch the next newsletter for the
2018 Calendar of Events. It will surely be a year filled with plenty of opportunities to connect with
Lincoln's greatest historic resource.....Hearthside and the Historic Great Road.
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Sun. Mar. 11 Season
Opening Tour
Sat. Mar. 24 Annual
Meeting
Hearthside is closed during Jan. & Feb. Watch for announcement of our 2018 Schedule in next month's issue.
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YANKEE MAGAZINE FEATURES HEARTHSIDE IN
THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Featured as One of Top Five N.E. Places with a Romantic History |
Goal se
tti
ng is a familiar exercise in any organization, but for Hearthside, we're seeing more and more of our goals come to be. But one goal...."to appear in a national publication"...seemed
so far fetched when we included it in our strategic plan 5 years ago. Since that
time, we have appeared in
Yankee Magazine
several times, some as calendar listings (for which they are selective), and some as being singled out as an event being "Worth the Drive." Now, we can claim to have been in
feature articles in Yankee three times in just a one-year period!
The
January-February issue features a story about the top five New England's Places with a Romantic History, and there is Hearthside among some other well-known places. There were only two
photographs in it: o
ne was of President Kennedy and Jackie as they were married in Newport, and the other was of Hearthside! Although the article is brief, Hearthside received some fabulous exposure. Check out the article for yourself read the article here.
Hearthside had been selected as Editor's Choice for Best Historical Experience in RI in the May/June issue, and as one of the top 5 for Best Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Nov./Dec issue. To think that 1.9 million readers had the opportunity to not only learn about Hearthside but to also see a picture is mind-boggling. We have certainly seen the positive results of this exposure with many more visitors coming through the door, saying "I saw it in Yankee!"
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IT'S A NEW YEAR! VOLUNTEER FOR OUR 2018 SEASON
Volunteer & Member Meeting Scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 27th
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With just about every tour, I hear visitors saying that they would like to dress up like us. It's easy, just come volunteer. If you
love history, enjoy talking with people, and want to help,
n
ow,
more than ever, is the time to step forward and volunteer.
This season we are
expanding our activities
with the addition of the one-room school house next door, which offers so many opportunities for programming for kids and adults alike. Docents and e
xtra hands are needed
to help with the activities planned there, both school trips and tours during the week, as well as tours when Hearthside is open. Of course, there is always a lot of behind the scenes work to do at Hearthside too, so whatever your interest is, we welcome your enthusiasm, new ideas, and help! To get an idea of the different opportunities, check out our
Volunteer form
on our website. There will be training for docents during February.
You don't need to live in Lincoln to volunteer. Our volunteers come from all over the state, as well as nearby Mass. Volunteers range in age from 8 to into their 80s! If you're retired and looking for something to keep you busy or to enhance your social life, or if you work and just want to give back to your community, or maybe you're a young person looking for experiences to build your resume, then volunteering at Hearthside is the answer for you. And it's a win-win. Not only do you benefit, but Hearthside gets to accomplish many great things. Did you know that each hour that a volunteer serves has a value of $24.14? Combining all our volunteers' efforts over the year is used to show in-kind support when we apply for grants. With typically over 7,000 hours spent each year, it really adds up!
The first meeting of the year takes place this
Sat. Jan. 27th from 10-12 noon at Hearthside
. It's a time when we review the proposed calendar and with the ideas put forth by the volunteers and then their consensus, we determine what programs we'll do. It's also a great opportunity to meet others with the same passion for history that you have. So that we prepare for the approximate number to attend, please respond if you plan on coming to the meeting. If you can't come, but still have an interest in being a part of the 2018 season, just send me an
email
or leave a message at 401-726-0597. Hope to see you there!
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HEARTHSIDE RECEIVES $1,000 GRANT FROM CVS FOR VOLUNTEER EFFORT
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We all know that volunteering is a good thing, especially when a reward is given in recognition of those efforts. Board member and volunteer,
Bill McManus
, a Project Manager with CVS, let his employer know of his commitment with Hearthside. As a result, CVS Health Foundation has announced that Hearthside is the recipient of a
2017 Volunteer Challenge Grant of $1,000
. The grant matches a colleague's volunteer hours with dollars to the nonprofit where they volunteer regularly. Bill serves on the board and also may be seen behind the scenes at some of our events with set up or photographing the activities. We were most fortunate to have also received a CVS grant in 2016. Thank you, Bill, for your efforts on our behalf!
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| HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: VISIT TO CHILDHOOD HOME BY THE MOWBRAYS |
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One of the best Christmas surprises came on December 23rd when
Drew Mowbray showed up at my door. He lives in Germany and had not been home since 1996, prior to the Town purchasing Hearthside. After some catching up with my childhood friend, we set up a date for the next day for a visit to his beloved home. Accompanying him was his younger brother
Stuart. It was an emotional, but quite wonderful, journey through years of memories they had there growing up. I heard many stories as they went from room to room that afternoon and got new insights into their father,
Andrew, whom I speak about on our tours, but never really having known him. Although there is a 13 year age span between the two brothers and their memories were sometimes different, one common memory they shared was how cold the house was. They recall spending most of their time in the warmth of the kitchen and would even wear hats and sweaters to go upstairs to bed. While this may sound like how life would have been at Hearthside during the 19th century, this was during the 1960s and 70s. The price of oil was obviously quite high and needless to say this house costs a lot to heat. Such a stark difference to what we hear now as visitors come in and are surprised at the warmth they feel upon entering.
Drew told stories of the locked safe in the closet and how his friend accidentally figured out the combination while playing one day, and about the school room in the attic where the Talbot children learned. He showed me the evidence of math problems, writing sentences, and a drawing of a bee still on the wall in a storage room. Wonder why none of us ever noticed it! Stuart told stories about his father, who he was very close to and had shared the same interests with. Stuart worked in his father's business and now continues his father's work as he publishes a magazine for antique gun and sword enthusiasts.
It will take awhile to sort through all the stories they share. This was a rare opportunity to get first-hand stories, which I know will enrich our tours in the future. Both sons agreed on one thing...they were quite happy to see the house being taken such good care of and enjoyed by so many. As he left, Drew smiled and mentioned that he just may return again someday to share some more of his stories with a larger audience than just me!
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Stuart and Drew Mowbray stand by the Christmas tree in the parlor, recalling their own holidays celebrated in this room.
Photo by Susan Gonsalves
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Looking over the Mowbray growth chart, the "kids" had a great time finding their heights at different ages and recalling their friends who were also included on the chart.
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Stuart recalls a story in the front bedroom. which had been his sister Sherri's room.
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Drew paused for quiet reflection in his former bedroom. He remembered finding snow on the hearth in that room as he awoke one morning.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR COMES TO CHASE FARM
Preview of Major Event to Take Place in Oct. 2019 |
| For the first time, Chase Farm Park hosted a reenactment of the American Revolutionary War. The one-day event held Oct. 21 introduced the site to numerous reenacting groups as well as giving visitors a preview of what is to come in 2019 when a full weekend long reenactment is planned. |
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Marching into battle, from young drummer boys to middle age, reenactors help to bring to life what it was like during the Revolutionary War - 1775-1783.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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In the line of fire, the muskets are ablaze.
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A young re-enactor takes a quiet moment with his fishing pole at the pond on Chase Farm.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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British soldiers march through the smoke filled air after an early morning skirmish.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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| Although the event was just one day, several troops traveled a great distance and needed to camp out for a few days. Some had tents, some had tee pees, and even a covered wagon. Photo by Rick Antuono |
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The Continental Army troops face off the British.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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These British soldiers are discussing plans for the battle (or maybe what's for lunch).
Photo by David Cruz
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Tew's Company, 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, led by one of the event organizers,Glenn Siner, marches back to camp following a skirmish.
Photo by David Cruz
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Soldiers line up outside camp for a morning drill.
Photo by David Cruz
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The British take aim at the enemy, the Continental Army.
Photo by David Cruz
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Native Americans joined in the fight during the Revolutionary War, as this re-enactor portrayed.
Photo by Rick Antuono |
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| These British soldiers review strategy before going off to battle. Photo by Rick Antuono |
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| Surprise...not all soldiers were men! Photo by Rick Antuono |
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A member of the event organizing team, Captain Andrew Fredricks of Tew's Company, 2nd RI Regiment directs his men during a drill.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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The significance of Silas Talbot's portrait over Hearthside's dining room fireplace took on new meaning during the reenactment as this couple learned while reading the interpretive panel about his role in the War.
Photo by David Cruz
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Hearthside volunteer, board member and reenactor, Kirk Hindman discusses Silas Talbot with these visitors who were doing a class assignment on the Revolutionary War.
Photo by David Cruz
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The battlefield is filled with soldiers, making for a colorful sight at Chase Farm Park on a beautiful fall day.
Photo by David Cruz
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| SPIRITED TIMES AT HEARTHSIDE |
COMMUNICATING WITH THE SPIRITS - Oct. 12, Nov. 7
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On Oct. 12, internationally-renowned spiritual medium Roland Comtois hosted a very emotionally charged evening for 30 guests, with messages brought to them by loved ones who had passed.
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On Nov. 7, Betty Milazzo conducted a Table-tipping event where guests learned how spirits communicate by moving a table. The results were quite astonishing as we witnessed tables not only moving, but actually tipping right up into your lap--happened to me!
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VICTORIAN MOURNING & FUNERAL CUSTOMS - Oct. 28, Nov. 5, 11, 12
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| Docent Ellen Metcalfe offers up a funeral biscuit, wrapped and sealed with black wax, to visitors to the exhibit. Photo by David Cruz |
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The "body of Simon Thornton" lies upon the actual embalming table used in this room when he passed away in 1873. Docent Lou Doeg, as the undertaker, demonstrates the process with antique tools.
Photo by David Cruz
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Docents Colleen Farrell, Anna Carr, and Kate Grist greeted visitors to the 3rd floor attic, where they covered topics on coffins, vampires, and ghosts.
Photo by David Cruz
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Childhood mortality was a somber topic in the nursery, as told by docent Suzanne Farmer, standing in front of the child's casket.
Photo by David Cruz
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Visitors were fascinated with Hearthside's mourning jewelry collection displayed in the library.
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Ladies in mourning, Jean Southard and Jenna Alessandro, gaze upon Simon Thorton's portrait by his coffin.
Photo by David Cruz
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Docent Dani Cournoyer is surrounded by reflections coming through the attic windows adding
to the eeriness of the topics being presented.
Photo by David Cruz
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Joe Pereira performs an authentic funeral service from the period as docents and guests look on.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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Rhonda Chadwick greeted visitors to the kitchen with her tarot card display and other mystical items and covered the topic of Spiritualism in the 19th century
. Photo by David Cruz
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Pallbearers remove "Simon Thornton's" coffin from the house on the way to the burial plot in the backyard. Pictured from L to R are: Dennis Przybyla, David Cruz, Ron Deighan, Colby Cournoyer, Joey Carr, and Lou Doeg
. Photo by Rick Antuono
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Lowering the casket into the mock grave.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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Saying goodbye to Simon, Christine Maino places flowers upon his coffin.
Photo by Rick Antuono
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A FOND FAREWELL TO CAROLYN SPENCER
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Carolyn donning flapper attire as a docent during one of our
1920s exhibits.
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On November 18th, we lost one of our dearest volunteers, Carolyn Spencer. At the age of 88, she was one of our longest-serving volunteers, having been with us since Friends of Hearthside was formed 17 years ago. Over the years, Carolyn was there to offer her help in so many different ways. You could always count on her creative ideas, calm demeanor and infectious smile. Everyone loved her. In describing Carolyn, her friends would say this about her: compassionate, young at heart, outgoing, affectionate, fiercely independent, and nothing would hold her back from doing what she wanted to do.
It was Carolyn who stepped forward when planning our very first event...an afternoon tea. Hearthside was an empty house at that time, and we were faced with the dilemma of how to put on a tea with no furniture and no dishes. Carolyn was very active at her church, the Chapel Street Congregational Church (formerly Sayles Memorial), and she knew they had just what we could use. And so it was that we got to put on the tea that first year, which turned out to become Hearthside's signature event! C
arolyn had so many talents that she shared with us, including flower arranging, baking, and basket making. She was always ready to get into the spirit of whatever era or exhibit we were doing, from an early 19th century event, to the Victorian Christmas, to the 1920s. Carolyn would enthusiastically show up with just the right costume to fit the era, with a smile and an offer to "put me to work."
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Carolyn's artistic talents were displayed in her basket weaving demonstrations during the Traditional Crafts Fair.
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When we sought volunteers to help with sprucing up the yard, Carolyn was quick to offer up the Lincoln Garden Club. She would always be the first on the scene each spring to get her hands into the soil and begin the clean up.
Although she was born in Indiana, Carolyn was considered a lifelong Lincoln resident having moved here at the age of 8. She grew up on Chapel Street along with her sister Roberta Brown. They remained very close. Roberta volunteered alongside Carolyn at Hearthside, and the two sisters actually lived across the street from each other and spent time together each day right till the end.
A graduate of the RI School of Design, Carolyn was a talented artist, first working as a commercial artist, and then continuing to do it as a hobby once she had her family. Many in town have portraits done by Carolyn. For years, she had a horse and rode him every weekend, until he died. Even having hip surgery didn't deter her from riding.
She rode a friend's horse this past summer. And certainly, she was not going to miss our Downton Abbey Fox Hunt in Sept.
I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to know Carolyn. It is funny how many different ways paths can cross in life and the connections made. Carolyn was friends with my parents many many years ago and was also friends with Penelope Mowbray, last owner of Hearthside. But, she really was a friend to everyone who ever met her. All of us at Hearthside will miss Carolyn greatly.
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SCENES FROM AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS
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Hearthside always shines brightest at the holidays. During the month-long celebration, we hosted our
VIP Membership Reception, an
American Girl Doll Christmas Party, 3
Old-Fashioned Christmas events, and 2
Home for the Holidays Guided Tours. We also hosted a private tour for a teachers group, and to end the season on Dec. 30th, we hosted a
wedding ceremony! There were hundreds of beautiful images taken not only by our own photographers but also by a team from the
Stony Brook Camera Club based in Franklin, MA, who discovered Hearthside for the first time. There's only room for a sampling of some of the photographs here.
We are grateful to
Blithewold Museum for their generosity in loaning numerous decorations to us this year so that our decorators had more to work with to make the rooms look a bit different from previous years. A very special note of gratitude to our talented decorators, all volunteers bringing many of their own decorations to make Hearthside so stunning!
Diane Adam Christine Maino & Kathy Hartley
Bev & Jenna Alessandro Kevin Marchand
Doris Cotnoir Dennis Przybyla
Ray Emidy Jean Southard
Joyce Leach and Denise Garvey
Linda & Bob Lundgren
Ellen Metcalfe
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The American Girl Doll Christmas Party featured the story of Felicity, the character from the Revolutionary War period. Lisa
Minca shared her Felicity doll collection with guests and read the story about what life was like for Felicity.
Photo by Susan Gonsalves
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Thea Minca assisted her mom in the presentation and showing the girls and their moms different artifa
cts
and photos to accompany the story. She also helped with raffle drawings and serving the refreshments
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Photo by Susan Gonsalves
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Girls and their dolls tell Santa their wishes.
Photo by Susan Gonsalves
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Jean Southard explains some of the Christmas traditions to this visitor in the front bedroom.
Photo by Susan Gonsalves
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A welcoming sight on a cold winter's eve.
Photo by Susan Gonsalves
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The back bedroom decorated by
Jean Southard.
. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
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Hearthside's "Mouse House" is seen on a riser on the back stairs which gets all decked out for Christmas. It's the only time of the year that the mouse family may be seen. Designed and created by David Cruz.
Photo by David Cruz
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The dining room is dazzling with its touches of red. Decorated by Bev and Jenna Alessandro.
Photo by David Cruz
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A beautiful view of the side of Hearthside.
Photo by Debra Boucher
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The boy's room featured a nutcracker theme with several antique toys under the tree. Decorated by Bev and Jenna Alessandro.
Photo by Dennis Smith
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Liz Ammerman performed beautiful sounds of the season non-stop on the harp for several hours during the Dec. 16th event.
Photo by Cynthia Vogan
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An elegant centerpiece at the formal dining room table, set with antique Royal Albert china.
Photo by David Cruz
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Visitors were greeted in the Music Room, lavihly decorated with gold and burgundy and a music theme. Decorated by Joyce Leach, Denise Garvey and
Bev Alessandro.
Photo by Ellen Kawadler
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Cornucopias were a typical Victorian tree decoration. Joyce Leach made these for her tree with music sheets to carry the theme in the Music Room.
Photo by Carol Dandrade
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Youth docent Maddie Belisle welcomed visitors into the nursery. Decorated by Diane Adam.
Photo by David Cruz
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A recently-donated Victorian dress by Alice & Fred Reinhardt was featured in the front bedroom, which was decorated by Christine Maino and Kathy Hartley.
Photo by Debra Boucher
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A beautifully decorated tray with an antique hot chocolate set is contrasted against the snow outside and gazebo in the background. Decorated by Bev and Jenna Alessandro.
Photo by Debra Boucher
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A small tree in the servant's quarters is decorated with a garland made of buttons, paying tribute to Arnold Talbot's father William who ran the Tockwotten Company, which made buttons. A pair of child's shoes filled with hay for the reindeer sit under the tree. Decorated by Diane Adam.
Photo by Silvana Della
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The Music Room mantel is lavishly decorated with gilded instruments surrounded by greens and berries. Decorated by Joyce Leach, Denise Garvey and Bev Alessandro.
Photo by Debra Boucher
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The front entry way featured an arrangement of poinsettias on the garland trimmed staircase. Decorated by Ray Emidy.
Photo by David Cruz
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Delicate ornaments of red and gold were featured on the 9 foot tree in the dining room.
Photo by Silvana Della
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The first snow of the season and the gaily decorated gazebo made for a pretty Christmas card view in the yard. Decorated by Kevin Marchand.
Photo by Sarah Keates
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The library was decorated in 50s and 60s style to honor the Mowbray family who lived here during that time. The room featured a collection of miniature villages that encompassed the room along the tops of the bookcases. The tree was decorated with Coby glass ornaments and bubble lights and toys and gifts from that era. Guests were asked to write memories of their best Christmas in our scrapbook.
Room decorated by Dennis Przybyla.
Photo by Carol Dandrade.
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Deanna Seardon hosted visitors in the kitchen and served up some freshly baked cookies and hot cider. Decorated by Ray Emidy.
Photo by David Cruz
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The master bedroom featured two small trees and tabletop displays. Decorated by Diane Adam.
Photo by Carol Dandrade
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With a blanket of snow, wreaths all around,and twinkling lights seen through every window, there was a magical glow to Hearthside that welcomed guests during the Candlelight Tours.
Photo by David Cruz
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Youth docent Inara Gardner was Santa's helper in passing out candy canes and coloring sheets to all the children who visited.
Photo by David Cruz
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Several different villages were featured in the Library display. Collection of Dennis Przybyla.
Photo by David Cruz
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| As they say, there's always something happening at Hearthside! Won't you come be a part of it?
Sincerely,
Kathy Hartley
Founder, President & CEO
Friends of Hearthside, Inc.
The mission of the Friends of Hearthside, Inc. is to preserve, protect, promote, and interpret the heritage of the Hearthside Homestead (b.1810) and the Great Road Historic District through living history programs and events.
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