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HEARTHSIDE HOUSE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER
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"The House That Love Built" Vol. 9, Issue 7 July 2016
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Wow, what a month it has been! So much happening at our little museum as you'll see in this newsletter featuring of course our major event,
The Decade That Roared, with plenty of pictures to share.
You could say that Hearthside entered a new era this month. Our event was so
unlike our typical 19th century offerings. We ventured into the 1920s, and what an experience it was! Not only was it fun to learn about all that comprised the decade, but it was quite surreal to imagine what it was like inside of Hearthside then.
At the time, Arnold Talbot had earned a national reputation for the quality of hand woven goods that came out of the attic studio at Hearthside, all from looms dating back 200 years. His home, set back from the road, seemingly was set back in time, filled with antiques as the family honored their heritage and cherished the nostalgia of surrounding themselves with relics from years gone by. The outside world though was quite different, as progress forged ahead at record pace, with automobiles replacing horses and carts on Great Road (which was still unpaved until 1926), causing the local blacksmith shops to close down. Many families were moving to Providence where modern conveniences were readily available at the time. It was quite the contrast of what it was really like at Hearthside, and it gives us even more appreciation for the history that this house has witnessed over time.
This month marked progress in yet another way for Hearthside. We have launched a
new website! Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think.
I have wondered why all of a sudden we seemed to be getting more and more young visitors driving in the yard, looking around, and then leaving. Well it seems that the
Pokemon Go craze has hit Hearthside, as we are a Pokestop in this popular digital game. We can only hope that this younger generation may come back and pay us a visit now that they have discovered us.
Our July 16th event marked the conclusion of our special Florida Raffle. Congratulations to
Pauline Beaudreault of Cumberland, winner of the 7-day
Florida Getaway at The Villages! Thanks once again to Janet & Dana Heberlein for donating the gift.
I want to acknowledge the hard work of the
Decade That Roared Planning Committee. Starting with our first meeting back in January, and continuing in the months to follow with regular meetings nearly every week, the committee never wavered in their enthusiasm and commitment to making this event the best it could be. Each gave so much to the effort, and I want to thank them:
Seth Hamilton,
Janet Hook,
Jenna Alessandro, Michelle Scully, Sarah Marshall, Estelle Barada, Christine Maino, John Scanlon, and Debbie Paulo. Also to Diane Prete and Jessica Bettencourt for their help. I also want to thank Dana & Janet Heberlein for their extraordinary efforts in helping to execute the event with the raffle and all the last minute details. Of course none of it would be possible without the dozens of volunteers who stepped in to help (actually close to 90!) with the event day. We are so fortunate to have you!
As we head into August, it will be nice for all of us to slow it down a notch and relish the lazy, hazy days of summer. Stay cool!
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Sat. Aug. 6*
American Girl Doll Garden Party
Sun. Aug. 14 Tour Day & Exhibit
Fri. Sept. 16* Bridging Beyond Boundaries-psyhic medium
Sat. Sept. 24 Great Road Day/Smithsonian Museum Day
Oct. 15, 29 Victorian Mourning Customs Candlelight Tours
Oct. 23, 30 Victorian Mourning Customs Tours
* Special event - Advance ticket purchase only.
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| AMERICAN GIRL DOLL PARTY IN THE GARDEN SAT. AUG. 6TH BUY TICKETS NOW! |
 If you have a young girl in the family with an A
merican Girl Doll, you won't want to miss this special time at H
earthside, held just once
a year.
The American Girl Doll Garden Party brings an afternoon of old-fashioned fun to young girls ages 5-10 along with their dolls and
accompanied by an adult.
On Saturday, August 6th, the girls
will learn about summer past times of girls at the time of Sama
ntha, the 1904 American Girl Doll. Besides the language of flowers, they will create a memento to take home using pressed flowers, pla
y lawn
games, and enjoy light refreshments. A special display of the original Samantha doll, the 1904 character, and her summertime accessories is always a highlight of the day. Tak
e a tour of the museum and see the displays of the 1920s Decade That Roared exhibit. There will be prizes and raffles, and a visit to the Gift Sh
op has special treats for the dolls and moms too.
Two seatings offered: 12 noon or 2:30 p.m. Last chance to reserve tickets.
General price is $27 for the adult/child pair; $17 for additional child, with discounted member pricing at $25 and $15. Because of limited seating under the tent, we ask that you kindly limit adult attendance to allow ample space for the many girls who want to attend. Reserve tickets by calling Hearthside at 726-0597, or send an email to me by clicking here Reserve a Spot. Advance ticket sales only.
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HEARTHSIDEHOUSE.ORG IS ALL NEW
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Totally New Website Launched
 It was 12 years ago t
hat we announced Hearthside's new website. That website has served us well, was very attractive, and received a lot of compliments from our visitors. But, it was old technology with code that is no longer used and sorely in need of updating. So, we're especially thrilled to announce that on
our totally re-designed website was launched on July 13th.
All new and adaptable to multiple devices whether desktop, tablet, or phone, our site is now open for business. Literally. You can make purchases, including items from our gift shop, as well as
sign up as a volunteer, member or make a donation. To stay up to date on happenings at Hearthside, our
Facebook page is connected on our Home Page, you can
sign up for this newsletter, or even read past issues. And there's a good deal of information about what Hearthside has to offer and its history.
Special thanks to
The Valley Breeze for a great job in developing and hosting our new site!
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| THE CAT'S MEOW!...THE BEES KNEES!..IT WAS A HOT TIME AT HEARTHSIDE ON JULY 16th |
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The Cat's Meow...The Bees Knees....descriptions taken straight from the front page of last Sunday's
Providence Journal article about Hearthside's
The Decade That Roared event on July 16th! It was quite literally a
hot time, and an amazing event! If you weren't among those who attended, you really missed out on a really special and unique presentation about one of the most fascinating periods in our history.
Combined with the
exhibits and information panels displayed throughout the house and the
first-rate performances that ran all day, it really
brought the 1920s to life in a way that words simply can't capture. The optimism and carefree attitude of that decade following World War 1 was clearly felt in the
fast-paced dance numbers and with the women in their fashionable, loose-fitting dresses. It was easy to imagine the newfound sense of freedom that
automobiles brought about, with the snazzy autos from 1928 that were on display.
Radio brought people together for a shared experience for the first time during the 20s. We were fortunate to have a wonderful display of antique radios, tubes, and other equipment, all built in Rhode Island, to help us imagine how remarkable an experience that must have been to listen to voices and music coming out of a box and bringing news from all over the country in record time. The
sounds of jazz could be heard throughout the day, and RI jazz notable Lloyd Kaplan gave a great overview of this 1920s history, along with signing copies of his book, "Who's Who in RI Jazz."
Silent movies and
vaudeville shows were all the rage, and we had those to showcase as well. Included were silent movies made in RI of the dedication of the 1929 opening of the Mt. Hope Bridge and a documentary to promote Providence as the place to do business or visit. Also shown were silent movies of vaudeville shows and one of Mickey Mouse projected from a 1923 projector. Charlie Chaplin could be seen on the outdoor screen in the Cinemaworld tent where 1920s hors d'ouerves were served up. Downtown Providence boasted the opening of the renowned
Biltmore Hotel in 1922, and we had a display from the Biltmore showing some of the items from their archives. Audio recordings of
1920s alumnae from Pembroke College brought first-hand commentary about life in Rhode Island for a young girl during the age of Prohibition and Speakeasies.
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Docents Lou Doeg and Tatum Pelletier all dressed up and awaiting visitors to rooms on the 2nd floor.
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A volume of issues from 1929 Pawtucket Times articles and ads provided a glimpse into what life was like in the Blackstone Valley at the time.
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A room devoted to the history of Providence during the 1920s included a display on the Biltmore Hotel and a silent movie about attracting businesses to locate here.
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An old-time movie camera was part of the outdoor exhibit provided by the RI Museum of Broadcast Technology.
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The Photo Booth provided a 1920s look with props and a backdrop of glitz. Professional photographers were on hand to help capture the best shot.
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Docents Kate Grist and Lisa Boutin strike a pose in their 1920s garb.
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This young visitor enjoyed striking the NBC chimes, part of the collection displayed by Len Arzoomanian.
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Looking quite comfortable in their role as a 1920s couple are docents Dennis Przybyla and Mary Concannon.
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Our information panels and exhibits provided a wide range of topics that related to the issues of the 20s. Women of course were getting the
right to vote, so we provided a chance to vote in a "Rhode Island election of 1924" with candidates for Governor and U.S. Senate, as well as the important issues of immigration and prohibition. The centerpiece of our "issues" room was a volume of 1929
Pawtucket Times
newspapers that displayed a wonderful array of news articles and advertising...a time capsule of what life was like here during that year. Foods and appliances that were introduced during the decade illustrated the beginnings of modern day life with time-saving inventions for the housewife.
Partnering organizations and individuals helped to enhance our exhibit. There were radio and toy displays by the
NE Steam and Wireless Museum
, old movie cameras and microphones by the
RI Museum of Broadcast Technology, and jewelry by the
Providence Jewelry Museum
as well as fine custom-designed and produced pieces by local artisan
Charles Tramontana
. Vendors provided an array of beautiful clothing and accessories from the era, and there was even a chance to get a makeup session to look like a flapper.
The
fashions of the 20s are a hallmark of the decade, and it was fun for us not only to display some original dresses and accessories and even a
ladies woolen bathing suit (all worn by women from Lincoln), but to have our volunteers, and guests, all decked out in 1920s styles. What better way to involve everyone in a fully-immersive experience of the Decade That Roared!
There are lots of photos to share from this event, and our visitors sure took advantage of our
"photo booth,"
complete with props to enhance a 1920s look. Besides these few photos from the event, please check out the full album provided by one of our volunteer photographers,
Justin Baro
. Click on the first photo and use the right hand arrow to move through the album from there.
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This couple stepped right out of the 1920s with their attire and even arriving in an antique car.
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Besides 1928 Model A Fords, there was a 1928 Harley Davidson on display, all of which created a lot of interest.
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The outdoor entertainment was certainly a way to attract visitors to Hearthside, but the entertainment did more than give everyone a good time; all of the acts enhanced the information presented in our exhibit and helped to bring the 1920s to life! For a sampling of the entertainment, see the video below.
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Hearthside House Presents: The Decade That Roared
Produced by Susan Gonsalves |
Photos below courtesy of Justin Baro
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A typical 1920s dance number was performed by the Tropigals of Chifferobe Events.
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Talented dancers from Providence Swings demonstrated popular 1920s dances.
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Headliner Rose Weaver, renowned actress and singer, performed soulful jazz standards made popular during the Harlem Renaissance.
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| Long-time radio announcer Dave Kane served as emcee and radio broadcaster, accompanied by Ron "Ronnie D" Deighan,
Hearthside volunteer.
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Amazing tricks were featured in our own "vaudeville show" performed by Circus Dynamics.
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Large feather fans added to the mystique of the exotic dance by the Tropigals of Chifferobe Events.
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A CELEBRATION AT THE BOOTLEGGER'S BALL
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At the conclusion of the
Decade That Roared event, the scene changed to a very classy affair with the Bootlegger's Ball. Thanks to
Deb Paulo, the tent was transformed into a "ballroom" reminiscent of the
Biltmore Hotel's Bacchante Room from the 1920s, complete with white linens, and gold and silver overlays, accented with beautiful tall vases of white ostrich feather arrangements. It was the perfect setting on a summer's eve to celebrate the
15th anniversary of the Friends of Hearthside in 20s style! Photographer
Judith Potter captured the essence of the evening with some beautiful shots, which she has set to music in the following presentation.
Photos courtesy of Justin Baro
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| Serving up "illegal" booze in the Speakeasy were David Aida of Mendon Wines & More and Hearthside volunteer Michelle Scully. |
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| Keeping with the theme, an Art Deco style cake was presented during a break to celebrate Friends of Hearthside's 15th anniversary. |
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Hearthside members John & Patricia Biasuzzi dressed up for their "not so typical" night out.
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Entertainment for the Ball was provided by Jessy Carolina & The Hot Mess. Besides great music from the era, Jessy entertained with her washboard playing skills. The band traveled from New York to be part of this special event.
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Everyone enjoyed dancing, even if they didn't know 20s style dances.
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Boas and glitter was the order of the day as everyone seemed to enjoy the excuse to dress up.
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Showing how it's done are Jen and Daryl from Providence Swings in a high-energy dance number.
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Cigarettes anyone? The cigarette girls had plenty of candy cigarettes to go along with the alcohol in the Speakeasy.
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VIEW 1920s EXHIBIT & TAKE A TOUR
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14th |
If you missed the
Decade That Roared on July 16th, there is still a chance to catch the exhibit inside the house even though the outside events won't be happening. On
Sunday, August 14th, the exhibit will be open to the public for viewing throughout the house. Docents will be in costume and available to provide tours in addition to seeing the displays on each floor.
Hours are from 1-4 p.m. with the last admission at 3 p.m. General admission is $8. An example of some of the items on exhibit are pictured below. Last chance to see the displays!
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Through informational panels and exhibits, visitors are able to learn a great deal about the 1920s.
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This 3-piece copper still was the inspiration for the 1920s exhibit. It remains on display in our "speakeasy."
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A 1920s ladies wool bathing suit is displayed among many images from the day. This one had been worn by a resident of Lincoln.
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Modern conveniences meant more free time for housewives during the 1920s. Pictured above is one of the first electric toasters.
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Thanks to the generosity of so many businesses throughout our community for making
The Decade That Roared possible! We encourage you to patronize our partners in this venture, and please say THANK YOU to them. They recognize the importance of preserving our history!
Our major supporters:
With additional support from:
"ANONYMOUS"
ALSO: Retromedia, Dupuis Oil, Kirkbrae Properties, Henry Gonsalves Company, Ballard's Farm. And Lincoln Animal Hospital, Hercules Pizzaworks, Conklin Limestone, Collette Tours, Douglas Lumber.
ADVERTISERS:
Conway Tours, The Lodge Restaurant, Blais Insurance, Province Mortgage Associates, Vintage Girl Studios, Richard Gregory, Esq., Dr. Day Care and
Level Acres Farm.
DONORS
: D'Paulo Designs & Linens, Kirkbrae Country Club, Ballard's Inn, Marriott Courtyard-Lincoln, Boston Skydive Center, Cumberland House of Pizza, Rhody Rug, Andrew's Bistro, Emily Camparone/Ava Anderson, Stadium Theatre, Susan Gonsalves, Trinity Repertory Theatre, Biltmore Hotel, McCormick & Schmicks, Louisquisset Golf Club, CVS, William McManus, Donna Dressler Jewelry, Narragansett Beer, Best Little Hairhouse, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Janet & Dana Heberlein, Panera Bread, The Honey Shop, Humble Pie, Backyard Food Co., Sarah Marshall, Walt's Roast Beef, Rick Rosati, Ron & Judy Deighan, and Coty, Inc.
PERFORMERS/PRESENTERS
: Circus Dynamics, Rose Weaver, Lloyd Kaplan & The Aristocats, Providence Swings, Chifferobe's Tropigals, Ren Antonowicz, LuLu Locks.
EXHIBIT PARTNERS:
Providence Jewelry Museum, New England Wireless & Steam Museum, Biltmore Hotel, RI Museum of Broadcast Technology, Len Arzoomanian; Charles Tramontana; Mike Mooney; Phillip St. Jean, John Mennucci, RI Historical Society, Brown University, Cinemaworld, and Mendon Wines & More.
VENDORS:
Suite Tarts Salon; Nostalgia Antiques, Era in Style by Lucille, Maplehurst Diner & Lincoln Creamery, and Poppy's Gourmet Popcorn.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
Larry Silva, Dave Kane, Ron Deighan, Rich Langlois.
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Susan Gonsalves, David Cruz, Justin Baro, Bill McManus, Judith Potter, and Krzystyna Caldarone.
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| MAJOR RESTORATION PROJECTS COMPLETED! |
The scaffolding is no longer part of the scene at Hearthside....our long-awaited repairs to the
front porch and roof have now been completed, providing solid support for the 200+ year old timbers that make up the structure. And while we were at it, an
extensive paint job was also done: the front porch floor, window frames, side portico, dormer, and the entire back portion of the house. As a result, Hearthside practically looks brand new...and finished just 3 days before our big event!
Without the support of our
members, proceeds from our
events, and
grant funds from the
1772 Foundation and the
Town of Lincoln, this restoration would not have been possible. Our sincerest appreciation to all for helping Hearthside look so beautiful and for preserving this grand home for the future.
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Restoration of the front porch and roof dormer was completed by Architectural Preservation Group.
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The house received a full paint job on the rear of the house, front porch floor, handicap ramp, windows, dormer, and side portico. The work was done by Ivan Ake Painting.
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Help us in our mission to preserve history
for the next generation. Join as a member today!
Click Here to Join as a Member
or mail a check to Friends of Hearthside, Inc., 757 Great Road, Lincoln, RI 02865. We appreciate your support!
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| As they say, there's always something happening at Hearthside. Be sure to come see us soon!
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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