Hearthside's Something Old, Something New Exhibit Concludes with Special Quaker Double Ceremony on Saturday, April 26th
The last opportunity to catch Hearthside's current exhibit, "Something Old, Something New: 150 Years of Wedding Fashions & Traditions is on Saturday, April 26th. This popular exhibit includes an extensive display of wedding attire that ranges from 1850-2000. The attractive displays feature floral touches and special attention to the finest details, such as a wedding party at the altar, a reception in the dining room, hope chests brimming with linens hand embroidered by prospective brides, and suitcases packed with vacation attire for the honeymoon trip. Also included are the origins of various wedding traditions, the changes in fashion that evolved with every decade, and some of the many superstitions that accompanied the planning for the most important day in one's life. Hours for the exhibit are 1-4 pm, with the last entry at 3 pm.
As a special conclusion to Something Old, Something New there will be a separate morning event. Guests are invited to experience a Quaker wedding ceremony, conducted at the nearby Saylesville Friends Meetinghouse, one of the oldest meetinghouses in New England and in continuous use since 1704. This unique event will be an actual double re-commitment gathering for two couples, sisters Linda Robertson Jennings and her husband Gary, along with Nancy Robertson Anderson and her husband Bill. The event is truly a historical event, replicating a similar double ceremony that took place in this spot some 112 years ago. Both Nancy and Linda are the granddaughters of Harry Briggs, who had been married in a double ceremony with Harry's sister Anna Briggs on June 18, 1913 at this same meetinghouse. They were the children of Edgar and Freelove Briggs who were among generations of family members who lived in one of the oldest houses on Great Road that dated back to Col. Joseph Jenks of Revolutionary War fame. That original double ceremony was most unusual, so much so that it drew a very large crowd, filling the meetinghouse right to the doors, with many unfortunate guests being left to watch the ceremony through the windows.
The ceremony on April 26th will be conducted in accordance with the simple custom of the Society of Friends for the ceremony of marriage to be performed by the parties themselves, just as it had once been done by their ancestors. Also as part of the custom, guests are invited to speak, giving messages of good wishes to each couple. At the close of the meeting, those present are asked to sign the certificate as witnesses of the ceremony. It was customary for these cherished certificates to be handed down from generation to generation, which has provided valuable historical records today.
An outdoor reception will follow the event with light refreshments. The Quaker ceremony event runs from 11 am-12:30 pm. at the Saylesville Friends Meetinghouse, 374 Great Road, Lincoln. Because of limited parking onsite, shuttle van service will run from Hearthside between 10:15 and 10:45 am. Nearby parking is also available at the Gateway Park lot next to the Arnold House.
Registration for the Quaker event as well as for the Something Old, Something New exhibit at Hearthside should be made in advance at hearthsidehouse.org. Tickets for the exhibit and the recommitment event are $20, or $5 each if attending only the ceremony and reception. The exhibit is geared for adults and youth age 10 and older.