HEARTHSIDE HOUSE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER
"The House That Love Built"    Vol. 11, Issue 2                 Feb. 2017

Seems like we just finished up with Christmas and here we are about to welcome spring and the opening of Hearthside for another season!   The spring cleaning is in full swing, from polishing silver and floors, to repairs and constructing new exhibits. 

We're excited about the offerings we have this year.  Several new themes and events are being presented, which you'll surely want to make a point of coming to see, starting with our opening day on March 12th with the story of "Sleeping Beauty" as told by the dancers from Heritage Ballet.  If this isn't your thing, you can still stop by that day for a visit to the grounds where Revolutionary War re-enactors will be getting ready for their season by conducting drills around Hearthside.  This will be good preparation for their October 21st skirmish against the British at Chase Farm Park.

With a full calendar of programs, we are initiating some weeknight tours. Hopefully those who find they don't have the time on a weekend to participate in our events or tours, may find this a convenient time to come with a friend after work and enjoy a fully-guided tour about the history of Hearthside. The first of these will take place Thursday, March 30th at 6:30 p.m.  If we find they are popular, other dates may be added in later on.  

I guess it's a sign of the times, but nevertheless I was still saddened when I heard the news that the thimble was voted out by 4 million internet users as one of the Monopoly game pieces to be retired. The thimble and the top hat are iconic symbols of the popular game. Apparently the reasoning was that the thimble is no longer recognized by today's generation. Back in the day, the thimble was instrumental for hand sewing and mending, when clothes had to be handmade and last for many years.  Thimbles were found in every household, and even became heirlooms and collectibles. Remember when thimbles were a popular souvenir to pick up when visiting other states?  At least by playing Monopoly, just seeing these classic pieces could cause one to be curious as to what they were.  Now the thimble will go into oblivion except for those who own such a collectible or still sew and use one.  You'll have to go to a museum now to see a thimble.

I have a gold thimble given to me by my mother, which has been passed down through the Chase family.  It is kept in a tiny little box with the inscription, "Mother gave me this thimble Christmas 1882 ."  So my little thimble is well over 150 years old.  I carried on the tradition and used this thimble when I sewed my own clothes (many years ago), protecting my finger while pushing the needle through thick fabric or sewing on a button that had fallen off. While I admit I no longer use the thimble, it is still a precious heirloom to me, especially as I think about how often it was used by my ancestors for beautiful handmade dresses, men's shirts, and countless socks that were mended using this little gem.  

And so that thimble story makes our newest initiative even more meaningful.  Hearthside will soon begin teaching classes in the traditional fiber arts of spinning, weaving, and hand embroidery in the same space where those crafts were done over a hundred years ago by the Talbots. Just as with our blacksmith classes, the traditional arts will be carried on by today's generation and not be lost forever.  More to come on this news in the weeks ahead!

We're VERY excited about the upcoming season and do hope you will join in!
In This Issue

         Upcoming  

     Event Schedule

Sun. March 12
Season Opening - "Sleeping Beauty:Aurora's 16th Birthday"  1-3 p.m.
Sat. March 25  
Annual Meeting 10-11:30 a.m.
Thurs. March 30 
Guided Tour  6:30 p.m.
Sat. Apr 8-Sun. Apr 9    
Wedding Exhibit & Tour  
1 - 3 p.m.
Sun. Apr 30 
Antique Phonograph Exhibit & Tour  1- 3 p.m.
Thurs. May 4  
Guided Tour    6:30 p.m.
Sat. May 13  Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea
12:30 & 3:30 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. June 3-4 American Girl Doll Tea
12:30 & 2:30 p.m.
Sun., June 11
Downton Abbey Fox Hunt & Luncheon
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Thurs., June 22     
Guided Tour        6:30 p.m.
Sun.. July 23
1904 World's Fair Tribute
11  a.m. - 5 p.m.
Connect with Us
 WELCOME 2017 SEASON 
Click here to view the full 2017 Schedule

  SUNDAY, MARCH 12       SLEEPING BEAUTY:  MEET PRINCESS AURORA   1-3 p.m.

The beloved classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty, comes to life at Hearthside with the Heritage Ballet dancers on Sunday, March 12th .  The story of Princess  Aurora, who has a spell put upon her during her 16th birthday, is told as visitors take a self-guided tour from room to room and discover their favorite characters from the story. Princess Aurora and two of her friends, Carabosse, Lilac Fairy, Red, Green and Blue Fairy, Red Riding Hood, Pied Piper, and Cats will all be there.  Families are encouraged to attend.  A special photo opportunity will be available for posing with Princess Aurora with our professional photographer who will create a memorable keepsake.  Doors open at 1:00 and the last admission is at 3:00 p.m.  Admission is $10/adults; $5 ages 10-17; free for age 9 and under as well as our members.    (For those who wish to skip this, there is a chance instead to see Revolutionary War reenactors practice their skills around the Hearthside property.)


THURSDAY, MARCH 30                 HEARTHSIDE HISTORY TOUR                  6:30 p.m.

For those wishing to just come take a tour and learn the history about Hearthside, here's your opportunity.  Unlike our other guided tours that start every half hour, this tour is given just once and gets underway at 6:30 p.m.  Stories of what it was like to live here, past families who called it home, and historic features of the house will be included, which covers all three floors.  Tour takes approximately one hour and the gift shop will be open at the conclusion of the tour.  Perfect for those too busy on weekends to take a tour....just stop in after work.  Admission is $10/adults; $5 ages 10-17; free for our members.  
 RECIPROCAL BENEFITS FOR OUR MEMBERS 
Through a collaboration with several other museums, Hearthside members may gain free admission for up to four people at a different attraction each month, regardless of their level of membership. Simply visit the museum listed during the month they are featured and show proof of Hearthside membership and a photo ID at the admission office.  

This benefit is only for the benefit of the named member and for admission during regular times and does not extend to discounts at gift shops or special events.  The benefit is valid for the whole month and you may use it as many times as you like at the featured attraction each month. Hearthside is featured during April so this is a perfect time to invite friends who may be members at the other participating institutions to come discover our museum!  For Hearthside's members, here's a great opportunity to get out and visit these fine museums, whether you've been before or always wanted to get there.  We're pleased to be able to offer this added benefit for our supporters!

March                   Slater Mill                                                 slatermill.org
April                     Coggeshall Farm Museum                     coggeshallfarm.org
                              Hearthside                                               hearthsidehouse.org
May                       Providence Children's Museum            childrenmuseum.org
September           Blithewold Mansion                                blithewold.org
November            RI Historical Society, John Brown 
                                House & Museum of Work & Culture  rihs.org
December            Fuller Craft Museum                                fullercraft.org    
HEARTHSIDE BEGINS 16TH YEAR WITH ANNUAL MEETING 
SATURDAY, MARCH 25th
It was in March of 2001 that the Friends of Hearthside officially began and so each year, we hold our Annual Meeting on the last week of the month.  This year, the meeting, which is held at Hearthside, is scheduled for  Saturday, March 25th from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  All are invited to attend.   This is a great opportunity to learn more about what is in store this year, and to help us celebrate our accomplishments over the past year.  It's also a great chance for catching up with other volunteers and welcoming new ones.

We look forward to welcoming our Town Administrator, Joe Almond, and officials as our guests at the meeting and to hear of the plans by the Town for continued enhancement of our historic sites along Great Road.

Two important pieces of business at the meeting are the presentation of our financial report and the election of new members to the board by the membership.  A slate of nominees is being prepared by our board and will be sent out in advance of the meeting in a few weeks.

As someone who has shown an interest in our activities, I do hope you will participate by attending the meeting.  It's a nice way to get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do in this organization to help preserve our history.

 BEHIND THE SCENES 

You may think that we're all enjoying some down time while Hearthside is closed during January and February, but nothing could be further from the truth.  This is our MOST hectic time as we tackle all the projects that can't be done during the year while tours and events are taking place. There is just under two weeks before we open the doors for the new season and still much to do, including painting several rooms. But overall this has been a very productive period for us.  Here's a sampling of what's been going on, with more to show in next month's newsletter as we share the "after" shots of the work being done.  Some of what you don't see below are the hours spent in front of the computer for research (still trying to find out who the woman was that Stephen built this house for) and program planning.  Thank you to all the volunteers who have lent a hand during our "spring cleaning."
 
Volunteer docent Jenna Alessandro prepares some of the Victorian mourning outfits for archival storage.
Volunteer Christine Maino tackles a total reorganization of our Archives Room in order to make maximize our storage capabilities.
Dave Westcott of the RI Weavers Guild guides John Scanlon, V.P., in the challenging assembly of one of the Talbot looms that was part of the collection donated by the American Textile History Museum in the fall.  As a result of the new items added to our collection, our existing weaving exhibit had to be reorganized as well.
Youth volunteers Anna & Joey Carr carry out lumber from the attic, while their sister Ellie and Kate Grist handle the trash barrel.

A new secure and easy to grab handrail has been added to the base handrail at the back staircase thanks to the volunteer efforts by Bob Lundgren

John Scanlon and Bob Lundgren make repairs in one of the storage rooms in the attic in preparation for a new classroom where hand weaving, spinning and embroidery will be taught.
 
     
Sisters Anna and Ellie Carr carry out a barrel of debris from the attic storage room in the first step to transforming it into a classroom.
Volunteer docents Mary Concannon and Bev Cournoyer sort through boxes of dishes that were recently donated.  Recording the inventory was Nadine Hancock.  
 

 VOLUNTEERING AT HEARTHSIDE - A WISH COME TRUE
This month, we shine the light on volunteer Kate Grist, one of our bright young docents.  Kate joins us as the "second round" of youth docents since Hearthside began.  The first round students are now in college, or will soon be.  It has always been our hope to make a lasting impact on our young visitors and volunteers.  From what Kate has to say, it seems we're doing so.
 
Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
I'm 16 and have one brother who is older than me. We live in North Smithfield, and I'm a sophmore at North Smithfield High School.     I participate in two sports:  cross country and the track team.

How long have you been volunteering at Hearthside, and what got you interested in volunteering at such a young age? 
I started volunteering at Hearthside about a year and a half ago. But, I first became interested w hen I was eight years old and went on a tour of the house and fell in love with it.   When I saw that there were kids helping out on the tours, I thought that was amazing and wanted to try it. But, because of my age, my Mom wanted me to wait a few years and make sure I was serious about it before volunteering. 
   
What do you do as a volunteer at Hearthside?
Since I started in November 2015, I have taken part in setting up for exhibits and events, serving at teas, and being a trained docent in many different rooms.          I enjoy learning about the history of the house and of the various themes of the events we do.   I always look forward to the upcoming events, and I love working with all the different people who volunteer.

What is it about history that you find interesting?  
I'm fascinated with how different everyday life was and enjoy learning about it.  I love the fashions from all the different time periods.

What is your favorite part about volunteering at Hearthside?

One of my favorite things is meeting a variety of people who come to visit on tours.  It's always wonderful to see visitors appreciate the house and exhibits.  Hearthside gives a really unique opportunity for volunteers. There are very few places that allow people to become so involved with history in such a personal way. 

How do you think your experience at Hearthside has helped you?
What I do at Hearthside I cannot do as an extracurricular activity after school, or learn in a classroom. In a classroom, you do not get to help put together exhibits, or try on the clothes that people wore in different eras. Hearthside lets me and other students become involved in history and get to experience in a way that you can't in school. That's probably why I am a part of Hearthside, to get to take part in something so unique that I can't do anywhere else.  
 
What do you find most interesting about Hearthside?
It's got so much history and we get to tell all kinds of stories because of that.  Hearthside provides guests with a unique and interesting experience that really isn't offered in other historic places.   

  What do your friends think about what you doing?   
I've brought friends to come help with different projects at the house so they could earn community service hours and to see where I get to volunteer.  We've put away Christmas decorations and cleaned out the attic for the new weaving display.  Most of my friends aren't into history like I am, but some of my friends do think it's pretty neat to be able to volunteer here.
 
Why should young people care about Hearthside? 
It is important for younger generations to come visit Hearthside to learn about its historical significance.  They can also learn about a time period completely different from their own that has helped shape the modern world they know.

What do you hope to see for the future of Hearthside?  
It is very important that Hearthside continues to grow and become bigger and better in the years to come. Hearthside provides a place for school groups to visit that gets students out of a classroom and up close and hands on with history.  It brings together people with the interest and love of history.  Hearthside also educates people on the importance on history and why it is important that we preserve history.  

What are your ambitions for the future?
I want to travel and work with kids.  As far as my career, I am still undecided.  I hope to stay involved with Hearthside and would like to continue volunteering here once I go to college.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I have to say how strongly I feel that preserving history is one of the most important things a person can do.  Artifacts, monuments, and historical landmarks, no matter how big or small, can have an impact on people and need to be preserved to educate those of the future. 

JOIN NOW AS A MEMBER AND ENJOY A YEAR'S WORTH OF BENEFITS!

As with most nonprofit organizations, Hearthside depends upon membership support in order to administer it. With so many great activities coming up this year, becoming a member now will allow you the benefits of participating in these programs with free tour admissions, event discounts and exclusive accessibility to our members only.  And as you read in the article above, free tours are extended to certain other attractions as well.  Basic membership starts at $25, with family level at $50, and contributor $75 and up. The higher the level, the greater your membership benefits extend and the more support you provide to offset our operating expenses.

Click here to  Join as a Member Today .  
As they say, there's always something happening at Hearthside...now more than ever!
  
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.