HEARTHSIDE HOUSE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER
"The House That Love Built"    Vol. 13, Issue 1            Jan.-Feb 2019
 

History.  That word conjures up images from long ago.  Like 100 years ago. But we live history every day.  Nothing made it clearer than what happened recently when the New England Patriots won their 6th Super Bowl.  They made history....and we were all part of it.  It is one of those moments that will be remembered for years to come, and maybe the rest of our lives.  

Fifty years sounds like a really long time ago.  But how can it be that 1969 was 50 years ago?  This, too, was a time that many of us lived through and will never forget.....Woodstock, the Vietnam War, landing on the moon.  That year was filled with many historic events.

So when we talk about history, and preserving history, and isn't just about what our ancestors experienced.  It is about our stories and experiences that we all share and can learn from. And know that we are making history every day.

At the start of the New Year, I always make lists, but not just of what needs to be done, but highlights from the previous year.  While there are so many moments, my "Top 10" that stick out for the most for me are:

1)  Completing the total restoration of the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse and welcoming the first groups of students.
2)  Seeing the emergence of the " Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park" with the completion of the new visitors center.
3)  Being the first to use the visitors center to gather different sorts of groups: a Ranger-led group tour, a luncheon for an all-day group tour, a presentation about stargazing, and as an activity center for the several school groups we've hosted. 
4)  Being recognized as "one of the top places in NE with a romantic past" by Yankee Magazine, the third time in a year Hearthside was included in Yankee.
5)  Celebrating that recognition with the theme that ran throughout all of our programs in 2018 " A Year of Romance at the House That Love Built."
6)   The return of the award-winning David Davidson Color & Light exhibit of Early 20th c. Hand-Colored Photography 
7)  Marching in Lincoln's parade right down the middle of Great Road in front of the Moffett Mill----a really different experience!
8)   Having the restoration of the gazebo completed with a new roof and a beacon of light shining from the top of it.
9) Surpassing attendance records for all our major exhibits: Wedding Fashions, Davidson exhibit, Mourning exhibit, and Christmas.
10)   Receiving the most generous gift from Alice & Fred Reinhardt's most revered antiques, furnishings, and the 15-passenger van, making it possible to get visitors to the Moffett Mill.

I'm happy to report that our 2019 Calendar of Events is complete!  We are all very excited about the programming, which is a journey through three centuries of history. 

Finally, my heartfelt thanks to all those who support our work, through their volunteer efforts and monetary donations.  Our Annual Appeal has raised close to $7,000 so far which will go a long way toward helping us in our programming and operational needs. If you didn't donate during the Appeal, it's not too late to have your contribution counted.  A list of our proud supporters will be published in the next newsletter.
In This Issue

         Upcoming  

     Event Schedule

Sat. March 23 Annual Meeting  10-12 noon
Sun. March 31  Season Opening Tour - Wedding Exhibit  1-4 pm
Sat. April 6  Wedding Exhibit 1-4
Sun. April 7 Wedding Exhibit 1-4
Sat. April 13  Wedding Exhibit
Sun. May 5*   HP Lovecraft: Words of Beauty, Love & Hearthside 1-4 pm
Sat. May 11*  Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea
Sun. June 2* American Girl Doll Tea

* Ticketed events.  Limited spots.  Available to our members first.  Tickets on sale one month prior to event date.


Hearthside is closed during January and February while we work to prepare for the next season.  We'll look forward to seeing you in March.
Connect with Us
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE UPCOMING SEASON
2019 Season Sponsor - Navigant Credit Union
Our Event Planning Committee is excited to announce the 2019 Calendar of Events for this year.   Several turning points in history will be explored in this year that features a "Journey through Time"  from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.  

Here are just a few of the highlights:
  • 1775 Revolutionary War Reenactment Weekend with the Battle of Chase Farm and living history scenarios. Oct. 19-20
  • An Antique Car Rally at Hearthside featuring Model A's, complete with 1920s music and a summertime picnic. July 21
  • A celebration of the most popular series in anticipation of the upcoming movie release in September.  Join us as we showcase the Crawley family and all-things "Downton Abbey" with the return of the Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea and an elegant Dinner Party, Downton style.  May 11 and Sept. 13
  •  
  • . An Afternoon with HP Lovecraft with a portrayal of the popular science fiction writer in a presentation at Hearthside, followed by a toast to his memory, and a trip to nearby Lincoln Woods to the spot where Lovecraft wrote the poem Quinsnicket Park in which he speaks of beauty, love, and Hearthside!  May 5
  • Civil War Day at Hearthside features a living history encampment where visitors can explore what life was like in 1864 off the battlefields.  Aug. 25

Also returning will be Starry, Starry Night at Chase Farm on Aug. 7, Roland Comtois spiritual medium on Sept. 23, our ever-popular American Girl events, Victorian Mourning, 150 Years of Wedding Fashions and Traditions, Great Road Day, and the Old-Fashioned Christmas season.
 
Click here for the 2019 Schedule of Events .   Our sincerest gratitude goes out to  Navigant Credit Union for leading the way as Season Sponsor for 2019!
MOFFETT MILL LOSES ITS WINDOWS AS
RESTORATION PROJECT BEGINS
The Moffett Mill Window Restoration project got underway last week.  Cars passing by the 19th century relic on Great Road recently have been startled to see the mill all boarded up and looking desolate.  Many have expressed concern about what has happened to the Mill.   What has happened is that in December, we received a $47,150 grant from The Champlin Foundation to restore the windows.  

Given that 27 years have passed since the Mill was restored, the Mill's windows were in disrepair, requiring new sashes, mullion repair, re-glazing, and painting. There are over 35 sash windows in the 3-story building of varying sizes. In addition to the restoration, a heavy permanent screen to protect two of the south corner windows along Great Road is necessary, as debris kicked up from the passing traffic was constantly causing the windows to break in that area. Each window was removed, packed up, and transported to Newport where the work is being done by Newport Window Restoration at their shop.  In the meantime, plywood covers the gaping holes.  The project is expected to be completed in May.  
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
 Meet Allison Marovelli.  She and her husband, Leonard, joined Hearthside just 6 months ago.  She also signed up to become a docent and did her first "gig" during the October mourning exhibit, 
one year from their first visit to Hearthside for the 2017 mourning exhibit.  This young couple who settled in Lincoln 3 years ago have connected with Hearthside in a very big way.  During our end of the year Annual Appeal, Allison and Leonard became major donors with their gift of $2,000.  I asked Allison to share some of her background with us and what inspired them to make such a generous gift.

Tell me about your background.  I'm a native Rhode Islander, having grown up in Warwick.  Len grew up in Norton, MA, but moved away during school and the early part of his career, returning to New England in 2012.  He is a sales manager at Boston Industries, a medical lab equipment company.  I am a project manager at Fidelity Insurance.  We've been married a year and live in Lincoln.

What brought you to Hearthside and why did you join?  We love going to museums and my parents, who have been to Hearthside many times told us that we just had to see it.  So we went to the Victorian Mourning Exhibit in 2017 and returned in July for the Summer Celebration event.  During the event we saw that we would receive an antique map of Lincoln if we joined that day, so we did since we collect anything we can find about Lincoln.  Lincoln has become an important part of our lives and so we want to support a Lincoln museum.  After joining, I learned that I have a connection to Stephen Hopkins Smith, the builder of Hearthside.  

There are alot of charities to select from so why did you choose Hearthside for your charitable gift?  Are you involved in any others?  Hearthside is actually the first charity we've ever donated to.  We believe strongly in the mission that Friends of Hearthside has for preserving history.  My involvement here in just a short time has really given me a purpose and I want to see it continue to be successful. I'm not involved in any other charities.

Many would say that you need to be wealthy to be able to give.  How do you feel about that?
Len and I are young professionals; we are not wealthy.  But this year, we had a little bit of extra money so we made the decision to make a gift to Hearthside knowing that our gift on this small organization would have a major impact.  I would encourage anyone who believes in the mission and enjoys the programs at Hearthside to give whatever they can.  Every little bit counts, as they say.  Just think if every volunteer, and every member, made even just a small donation, we would really see a big impact.

Why is it important to support Hearthside?  It's certainly important to volunteer your time, because without volunteers the organization wouldn't exist.  But dollars are essential in order to put on the programs that bring people to Hearthside.  

What would you like to see your dollars used for?  We're excited about the prospect of new programming at the Great Road Heritage Campus, so we hope our money would go toward new programs and for the upkeep of all the properties that Friends of Hearthside is a steward of.

What do you hope for the future of Hearthside?  I hope that it continues on well after we are gone and that many more generations can come to love it too.  
  NOT TOO LATE TO  GIVE A GIFT TO HEARTHSIDE'S ANNUAL APPEAL
Show you care about preserving our heritage and the irreplaceable buildings that we are so lucky to have along Great Road.  Help us continue to offer the variety and quality of activities, all in fun and unique ways.  And all those programs help raise revenue to be able to preserve these buildings where history took place.   

It's not too late to make a gift to  Hearthside's Annual Appeal.   A  gift of any size helps a great deal toward preserving our heritage. Visit  www.tinyurl.com/Great-Road  to make a donation, or if you prefer send a check to Friends of Hearthside, 757 Great Road, Lincoln, RI  02865.  Friends of Hearthside is a 501c3 nonprofit organization so your gift is fully tax-deductible.

Thank you!  Your support makes a huge difference to our organization!  A listing of supporters will be published in the next newsletter.
ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SAT. MARCH 23RD
Mark your calendar for the Annual Meeting  
Saturday, March 23
10 a.m. - 12 noon
Chase Farm Park Visitors Center
This year's Annual Meeting will move out of Hearthside and be held at the new Visitors Center in the heart of the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park.

Join us as we celebrate another milestone year of accomplishments by the Friends of Hearthside.  Applaud our "Volunteer of the Year!"  Learn about the exciting year ahead, the projects and programs we have planned, and how you can be a part of it.

Following the meeting, we invite you to take the opportunity to visit the other sites under the stewardship of Friends of Hearthside:  the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse, the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, and the Moffett Mill.  
    NOW IS THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER!
Are you a "People Person?"  Or do you consider yourself to be more of a "behind-the-scenes" helper?  Do you have a special set of skills you wish to share?  Are you a retiree who wants to socialize and keep active?  Or do you just want to help your community in some way?  Whatever the reason or skills you have, we'd love to have your involvement.  Our volunteer opportunities span from Hearthside, to the schoolhouse, to the Mill, and everything in between.

Now is the time to volunteer!  As we get ready to open Hearthside in March, we will be holding  Docent Training  during the first few weeks of March.  If you are a people person, love history, and would like to give tours, then sign up now to join our team of docents.  Males especially needed!

Are you a teacher or do you like working with children? Special training will also be held for
docents for the schoolhouse to give school tours during the week, but also for public tours and workshops on weekends throughout the year.

There are many more opportunities to be involved.  Sign up on the volunteer form or let me know of you interest by  emailing me, or leave a message at 726-0597.  Our volunteer coordinator, Michelle Scully will follow up and get you started.  
RECENT HAPPENINGS 
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!
  An Old-Fashioned Christmas - Dec. 2, 8, 9, 28, 30
                   
The warmth and charm of an Old-Fashioned Christmas is captured in this scene worthy of a greeting card.  Photo by David Cruz
Mrs. Claus made an appearance at Hearthside and joined Santa in the library in greeting visitors.  
Photo by David Cruz
Jolly Old St. Nick, Steve Girard, welcomed the largest number of children (and adults) ever this year. 
Photo by David Cruz
The formal dining room table is admired by guests as they receive a tour from docent Lisa Boutin.  Red hearts accented the chandelier in honor of Hearthside's Year of Romance.  Photo by David Cruz
The windowsills in the dining room overflowed with greens, poinsettias, berries, pinecones, and red heart ornaments. Photo by Susan Gonsalves

Each of the 10 mantles throughout the house were lavishly decorated as well.  The Music Room mantle featured soft white pine draping over the edges and accented with sprays of red berries, ornaments and flickering candles. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
The front entrance featured a Victorian feather tree adorned with miniature antique mercury glass ornaments.  On display with it was an elegant black velvet and lace Victorian top and skirt from our collections.  Garlands and gold bows accented the stair rails and tops of doors. 
Photo by David Cruz
 Sarah McGuiness was one of the harpists to perform beautiful holiday music.  Photo by Bill McManus
All the bureau tops were also elegantly decorated, such as this one in the master bedroom with pieces that matched the ornamentation of the mantle and tree. Photo by John Deputy
The master bedroom featured a theme of teal and mauve accented with lace.  Photo by Jason Baker
The boy's bedroom had a theme of nutcracker of all sizes and characters.  Photo by John Deputy

Decorations continued into the third floor attic spaces, where the Hearthside Looms and weaving exhibit is displayed.
   Photo by Jason Baker
The red theme continued in the upstairs lady's bedroom with the mantle accented with red fans.  
Photo by Jason Baker
 
Laure Hallworth, her first time as a docent, gazes at the 1950s style tree adorned with tinsel, bubble lights, and antique Coby mercury glass ornaments made in Lonsdale.  Photo by David Cruz

Enoch John Valentine was one of the pianists who performed traditional Christmas music on the antique piano. Photo by David Cruz

Members of the Gordon School "G-Notes" welcomed visitors with their harmonious voices singing holiday songs. Photo by Rhonda Chadwick


 
There was no scrimping on the beautiful decorations for each of the dozens of trees throughout the house. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
The library, Santa's room, featured a miniature village set up along the mantle and tops of the bookcases around the room. Photo by Jason Baker
 
 
Several dolls from the Gorham Dolls in our collection was featured in the master bedroom. 
Photo by John Deputy
Docent Estelle Barada, portraying the cook, served hot cider and homemade cookies to the guests she welcomed into the kitchen.  The decorations featured popcorn garlands and gingerbread cookies. 
Photo by David Cruz
The elegant music room was the first stop for visitors, where they were welcomed with live music and beautiful decorations.  Photo by John Depty
Acoustical guitarist  Mark Armstrong performed for one of the afternoon tours. 
Photo by Bill McManus

Christmas at the One-Room Schoolhouse - Dec. 2, 8, 9
Schoolteachers Linda Jennings and Joyce Leach stand ready to welcome the season in the schoolhouse. The tree was decorated with ornaments made by children in the workshop held in November. Photo by David Cruz.

Nancy Waterman as the elf and Nancy Camirand as Mrs. Claus entertain children with the stories of how she met Santa and what it is like being married to Santa. Photo by David Cruz

A heartwarming Christmas program was performed by the "students" of the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse, ranging in age from 5 to 15, just as it was back in the 1870s. Photo by David Cruz
Harry Sanni and his sister Merry, are docents at the schoolhouse and performed during the holiday program. Photo by David Cruz
         
An Old-Fashioned Valentine Workshop at the Schoolhouse - Feb. 9
Youth docent Julia Hosu researched the history of Valentines Day and shared it with guests at the Valentines program.  

Youth docent Thea Minca shows her finished Valentines card. Adults and youth came to the program to create their custom cards.

 
There were different work stations to select from a variety of beautiful materials to create custom Valentines.

Allie Danue and Kaylee Capuano proudly display their finished cards!

   NEW YEAR -  NEW MEMBERS

JOIN NOW! 
One look at our 2019 Calendar of Events and you'll see all the offerings we have coming up. Join now and you get a year's worth of tours and programs.  Several of our events are limited to only 30. MEMBERS get first priority when it comes to tickets going on sale.  Most of our events have waiting lists.  MEMBERS get free admission for tours (saving $10 each adult each time) or reduced admission for other special programs.  
  
Basic membership starts at $25 with benefits for one adult; or with family level at $50 for two adults, and Contributor at $75 for four adults, and more levels to select from for greater support.    Visit our online Gift Shop for a Gift Certificate for Membership or  CLICK HERE TO JOIN AS A MEMBER TODAY  and start enjoying your own benefits right away.  
As they say, there's always something happening at Hearthside and at the Great Road Heritage Campus!  We hope to see you 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.