Gone But Not Forgotten: Victorian Mourning & Funeral Customs
The topics of death and mourning in the 19th century are featured during Hearthside's unique exhibit, Gone But Not Forgotten, when this former home of Simon E. Thornton gets draped in black and the “household” goes into mourning just as his family did when he died here in 1873. This well-researched exhibit focuses on how families dealt with loss during the late 19th century, with an extensive display of funerary artifacts, all of it presented by docents in their black mourning attire during a fully-guided tour.
From the moment you step inside, you'll be transported back in time as if the Thornton family were welcoming you to the wake of their dearly departed husband and father. As you journey through 3 floors of the house, you'll discover each room is filled with exhibits about the customs surounding death and mourning in the Victorian era.
The mirrors are covered in black, and the sweet smell of flowers pervade the waking room. The undertaker has come to set up in the master bedroom to prepare the body for its final resting place. A photographer has been hired to capture one last image of the deceased. Special stationery and memorials have been created to notify friends and relatives and to memorialize the deceased. You'll be taken into the bedroom where Simon died to learn about the embalming process which had only become popular a few years earlier, and see the actual embalming table that he was embalmed on set up right next to the bed for the procedure. Small funeral biscuits are wrapped and sealed with black wax, ready to give in appreciation to those who come to pay their respects (visitors to Hearthside for this exhibit.)
A popular feature is learning about the many strange superstitions surrounding death. Included on display are antique coffins, a collection of various Victorian mourning dresses, bonnets, veils, and other accessories, mourning jewelry made of jet and woven human hair, funeral receipts from local families, and 19th century embalming tools. Post-mortem photographs, and even some which appear to show a few spirits, are displayed. Some of the other topics covered are the 19th century belief in vampires, the fear of being buried alive, and the beginnings of spiritualism.
There are just four dates for viewing the exhibit: October 16, 23, 24, and 30, with options for both a daytime and evening viewings available. Space is limited for each tour which last 90 min. Advance reservation and tickets are REQUIRED. Saturday tours, given in low light, begin every half hour starting at 4:00 with the last at 6:30. Sunday tours begin every half hour between 1:00-3:30 p.m. Admission is $18; discount for members. Minimum age is 10. Face masks are required for everyone's safety.
NOTICE: Many of the times/dates have been sold out for this event. If you wish to be placed on a waiting list for any of the dates, please email your request. Because of illness, there have been last minute openings.
Special Thanks to Our 2021 Season Sponsor
