Special Exhibit at Hearthside & Guided Tours of the Great Road Heritage Campus Sites
Our 2023 Season is officially underway! Join us on Sunday, April 23rd for an interesting afternoon learning some fascinating local history at the 19th century sites of the Great Road Heritage Campus. Fully-guided tours are given by our docents dressed in period attire who are enthusiastic about sharing the stories associated at each site: Hearthside House (1810). the Moffett Mill (1812), Hannaway Blacksmith Shop (1880), and the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse (1850). There's something of interest for all ages!
Ever wonder how Hearthside got its name? It was given by Arnold Talbot in 1904 when he and his family bought the mansion and set up their hand-weaving business, the Hearthside Looms, in the third floor attic. Over the years, we've come to learn a great deal about this important family, not only for the impact they had while at Hearthside as leaders in the Colonial Revival and the Arts & Crafts Movement, but also for the heroic actions of their ancestors, all of whom have their own interesting stories. We're excited to share their stories and many of the wonderful pieces from our collections that have come from the family including miniatures, hand-colored photography, several examples of their weaving, 300 year old looms and spinning wheels used to create their handiwork, and articles and periodicals about the family. The country and the world was changing at a record pace in the years of their residence here from 1904-1926, yet they seemed to be removed from the fast pace of the world around them.
We're pleased to present "Woven in Time: A History of the Talbots
Tours begin at 12:30 with staggered admission times at each to avoid crowding. The last tour at Hearthside begins at 2:30 while the other sites host the last tours at 3:30. All sites close at 4:00 pm. A shuttle van will leave from Hearthside to transport visitors to the Moffett Mill, with stops at the Campus sites. As you plan your day, know that the tours take around 1 hour, 15 min. at Hearthside so don't book tours too close; you'll need to add in travel time.
The last tour at Hearthside begins at 2:30 and at the other sites at 3:30. Admittance times are staggered, so as to avoid crowding, therefore advance registration is recommended. While walk-ins may be accepted, there is no guarantee that the time slot will have openings so some flexibility would be required in the order of the tours.
Book your tour at Hearthside for one of five time slots by registering in advance and then pay at the door upon arrival, cash preferred. The $12 general admission includes tours at all four historic sites; $6 for youth under age 12; current paid members of Friends of Hearthside receive free admission, depending upon membership level. If you choosing to skip Hearthside this time and just want to visit one or all of the other sites, you should still register for those and select your time period to avoid crowding. Check in at Hearthside first to pay admission and get the shuttle van to the Moffett Mill and to the other Campus sites. There is no specific order for these tours, so if you wish to start with the Mill first, and Hearthside last, feel free to do so when signing up.
The Moffett Mill offers a rare opportunity to step back into a different century. Built in 1812, this amazing building is frozen in time, as it still appears the same as it did when its doors closed around 1900. The early relic of the Industrial Revolution operated with water power from the Moshassuck River and provided custom work and repairs for area businesses and farms, from wagons, buggies and tools to laces for shoes and corsets around the period of the Civil War. The original equipment and tools are still in place, just as they were 120 years ago. Shuttle transport will drop off and pick up visitors on a set schedule. This is the only safe access to the Mill for your 30 min. visit. Last tour is at 3:30 p.m. Admission to the Mill is included as an option in General Admission at Hearthside, or is $5/person if only visiting the Mill.
At the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse, located next to the Visitors Center at the Park, discover why this charming one-room school got the name "Hot Potato School." The schoolhouse was moved from its original location on Angell Road to Chase Farm in 2015 and restored by the Friends of Hearthside. It's filled with an impressive collection of antique schoolhouse books, toys, and teaching tools. A unique "magic lantern," an early slide projector, is one of the interesting items, complete with glass slides that were shown to children as a way of having them see and learn about far-away places. Guests are welcome to write on slate boards or with a quill pen and experience how children from nearby farms of all ages got their education here from the mid-19th century until it closed in 1922. Plan on 20- 30 min. for your visit. Tours are every half hour, with last one at 3:30 p.m. Visits to the schoolhouse are $5/family, payable in cash upon arrival at the schoolhouse, or included in the General Admission to Hearthside.
At the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, the blacksmith demonstrates at the forge while explaining the history of this original shop and the blacksmithing trade that occurred here. Admission is free and visitors are welcome to stay as little or as long as they like. You don't need to schedule a time to visit here. This is a great chance to preview what it might be like to take a class to learn this traditional craft, which are offered each weekend.
All visitors need to check in first at Hearthside to pay admission (except for the blacksmith shop), and then set off for tours at the museum, or to hop aboard the shuttle van to visit one of the other sites (and return later for the museum tour if that choice is made). Parking is in the grass lot across from Hearthside. Check in at Hearthside to pay admission and receive bracelet for visits to any of the other sites and pick up the shuttle
Join us in launching our 2023 Season!
Click the link below to register.