Take a Journey Back 300 Years During Great Road Day Sept. 20
On Saturday, September 20th, the annual Great Road Day offers visitors the unique opportunity to take a journey through 300 years of history along one of the oldest highways in the country, the Great Road in Lincoln. Several historic sites are open that day and admission requires only an interest in, or curiosity about, history. There is no entrance fee.
Dating to 1683, the Great Road is home to numerous historic structures that have withstood time and offer a glimpse of life in this community over three centuries. Originally, this area was Smithfield and the road was built to expand population outside of Providence and to create a trade route north from the port of Providence to Mendon, Massachusetts. While today only some portions of Great Road still exist due to highways and development that have taken its place over the years, the Lincoln section of Great Road remains intact and contains some of the oldest structures. The Great Road Historic District (Moshassuck) which runs from the intersection of Breakneck Hill Road and Great Road to where Great Road connects to Smithfield Avenue, and the Lime Rock Historic District of Great Road and Wilbur Road are both named on the National Register of Historic Places because of the significant historic structures within those areas. Additionally several buildings are listed individually on the National Register.
The Annual Great Road Day offers visitors the opportunity to visit any number of the participating sites on their own schedule and in any particular order during the hours of 11 am - 4 pm. A map to all of the participating properties may be picked up at any of the sites. Parking areas are available at each site. A shuttle van will provide the only access to and from the Moffett Mill. Pick-up and drop off is at Chase Farm Park.
Great Road Day is a collaborative effort between the different historic sites. In addition to getting inside to see what these historic sites are like, some offer special features or exhibits for this one-day event.
The sites participating in this year's Great Road Day and their location include:
Historic New England’s Arnold House (1693) Learn about Lincoln’s founding family. This rare stone-ender house has one of the largest fireplaces you’ll ever see. 487 Great Road
Saylesville Friends Meeting House (1703) One of the earliest and longest continuously used Quaker meeting houses in New England. Final resting place of the Arnold family. 374 Great Road
The Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park 671 Great Road: At the center of the Great Road Historic District (Moshassuck) the picturesque meadows of the former dairy farm, Chase Farm, are open to explore or bring a picnic. Here you'll find the Visitors Center with Restrooms. While there, view an outdoor artist’s mural of Great Road in the 19th Century, and visit four historic sites listed below. Pick up the Campus Shuttle Van that brings visitors back and forth to Moffett Mill & Hearthside in the parking lot:
Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse (1850) Lincoln’s last one-room schoolhouse, recently relocated, restored, and preserved. Experience this fully-furnished 19th c. classroom museum, and see how well you would do in learning the lessons of the day.
Hannaway Blacksmith Shop (1880) Watch the blacksmith at the forge and anvil forming hot metal into household objects, just as it was done during the 19th c. in this original shop.
Moffett Mill (1812) This rare relic from the early industrial era was a versatile former machine shop and is frozen in time with its original equipment and tools. Accessed only through Campus Shuttle Bus transport.
Hearthside House Museum (1810) This majestic stone mansion is known as "The House That Love Built." Stories of the 11 families who lived at the home come to life through the costumed docents in 19th c. attire. The museum is filled with interesting antiques and artifacts representing the lifespan of the home. 677 Great Road (parking across the street or shuttle from Chase
Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge (1804) One of the oldest masonic lodges in the state that included the town's most notable citizens as its members. It is still in use today and opens to the public exclusively once a year for this event. 1093 Great Road
Northgate (1807) Home of the Blackstone Valley Historical Society, this original toll house for the Louisquisset Turnpike and later a Grange where social activities for residents of Lime Rock. Downstairs at Northgate, there will be an exhibit on the lime kilns in Lime Rock. At 1:00 p.m. Rod Haynes, who grew up in Lime Rock, will give a talk about his book “Unauthorized Disclosures: A Navy Memoir of the 1980s” in which he reflects on navy life, Reagan-era politics, and coming of age in the 1970s and 1980s.