History Hike Through Chase Farm Park's Outdoor Museum 

The beauty and history of Lincoln's historic Chase Farm Park is on display during this 90-minute guided tour through Great Road's outdoor museum on Sunday, November 8th. Take a hike through the park while learning the history of one of the oldest roadways in the country, along with exploring the history of the authentic sites that remain in this section known as the Moshassuck River District. 

Within the 85 acres of bucolic rolling hills and meadows of this former dairy farm is a treasure trove of history with 19th century buildings that help to tell the stories of life in this community's early years.  The Hannaway Blacksmith Shop (c.1880), the Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse (c.1850) and the Moffett Mill (c.1812), along with the historic Chase Farm itself (c.1867) are featured on the tour. The Hearthside House Museum (not part of this tour) anchors the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park at the far end. The volunteers of the Friends of Hearthside serve as stewards and historians of these Town-owned sites.                             

This  exterior tour is led by Kathy Chase Hartley, lifelong resident of Great Road, founder of the Friends of Hearthside and granddaughter of Benjamin Chase who operated the farm until 1965.

The history of Chase Farm is told by Hartley through personal stories as the tour takes the high road through the meadows, past the majestic Sycamore Tree, and up the hill to the high spots of the property, affording scenic views across the fields  to Lincoln Woods State Park in the distance. 

 The Moshassuck River District is one section of the Great Road that has been preserved, with several original buildings open to the public.  This stretch of Great Road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of the significance of the historic properties.  The Hannaway Blacksmith Shop is the last remaining smithy in town and still operates today, preserving the traditional skill of hand forging by offering classes.  The tour includes a look at the history of blacksmith shops in town, as well as a demonstration at the forge by the resident blacksmith.  While the Moffett Mill will not be accessible on the tour due to COVID restrictions, an interpreter will be on hand to detail its history and show visuals to explain how its water-driven machinery operated at this relic of the early Industrial Revolution.  The Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse is a one-room school that served this community until it closed in 1922.   To save the building, it was moved to Chase Farm Park from its original location on Angell Road and has been brought back to life as a 19^th century classroom.  The docent "teacher" will give a close up look at what it was like to be a student, and a teacher, here 150 years ago. Of course, every schoolhouse (and home) had to have an outhouse, so that is included on the tour too.

This tour is limited to a small group to allow for social distancing.  Advance registration and ticket purchase only.  Tickets are $12.  Tours are offered only by advance registration in order comply with state restrictions and to help maintain capacity limits. The group will be kept small at no more than 12 guests to allow for required physical distancing.