The theme of "A Year of Romance" was introduced during our March 11th season opening tour, with a focus on courting customs and traditions.  It was such fun to see everyone's reaction as they learned about calling cards as a way of asking permission to visit, courting candles that timed when the boy would have to leave as the candle burned to the holder, or that those conversation hearts given on Valentine's Day really date back to the 1880s when a gentleman would keep them in his pocket to bring to a dance to present his message to a lady he would want to dance with.  

This month, the courting turns to marriage as we present "Something Old, Something New:  150 Years of Wedding Fashions and Traditions."  Because of the popularity of this exhibit in the past, we've expanded upon it with more opportunities for viewing and with the displays and programming.  

We'll end the month with our very elegant Dinner Party fundraiser on April 28th.   This is really quite an exclusive culinary treat.  There will be a delicious five-course dinner  served at a table fit for King.  Like any of our events, there will be a historical theme so that you will learn something.  This is not only a great opportunity to enjoy Hearthside in an intimate atmosphere, but also a wonderful chance to bring someone you want to impress by introducing them to this lovely home and museum.  But, there are only 22 tickets available, so don't delay if you are interested in coming.

The dinner, as well as our Chocolate & Wine event coming up this week, are important fundraisers. Each year we develop a mix of tours, special programs, exhibits, and exclusive events that appeal to a wide variety of audiences and all at different price levels.  Our fundraisers help us make our educational offerings possible, which in turn provide informative experiences that are both fun and memorable.  

Each summer, we have produced a major event that draws hundreds of visitors.  It helps raise significant revenue for us, but at a low ticket cost so its affordable for many families.  This summer,  to celebrate the opening of the new facilities at Chase Farm Park, the Town of Lincoln and the Friends of Hearthside are collaborating on a free admission, weekend-long event in July of fun-filled activities geared toward families.  While this event offers us a fabulous opportunity to introduce Hearthside and what we have to offer to a very large audience, the downside is that we lose out on the revenue we normally bring in during our major event.  In September, we will participate in the annual Great Road Day.  And again, this will be a free event.  That equates to three days when we will not be collecting admissions with a loss of thousands of dollars  that we normally would get during those times...dollars that would go toward our restoration projects.  

Supporting Hearthside through your attendance at one of our fundraising events---the Chocolate and Wine, the Victorian Dinner Party, the Afternoon Tea, the Traditional Fox Hunt, or the Roland Comtois evening---is how we will continue to meet our mission of preserving history through our activities and restoration of our buildings.

Hearthside has served as the catalyst for Great Road's successful preservation and tourist activity.  This has happened because our community has come together to support our work by attending our events and contributing to the organization.  Please help us keep the momentum going during 2018.