January 2021 Newsletter
Last year at this time, I gave my prediction that it was going to be a fun and exciting year. In fact, we adopted the theme of "Having Fun with History" which would be incorporated into all our programs during 2020. How sad that just the opposite happened. Since March, we've been making history every day, but not in a fun way. Rather, it has been downright tragic with the overwhelming amount of loss we have all experienced in every aspect of our lives.
At Hearthside, we weathered through it despite the ongoing challenges, resulting in many new events, tours and ways of bringing our visitors together safely. Many of these were quite popular, so watch for some carry over into this year's schedule (to be released in the next newsletter). Planning a schedule remains a challenge at this point. Here's hoping that 2021 will prove to bring back smiles and have lots more fun in store for us all!
After a rocky Summer, and a somewhat better Fall, we really had high hopes for the holiday season, even though we knew it would be only a fraction of what we typically would do. It was such a great surprise to see some fantastic publicity for our holiday events as a full page in Rhode Island Monthly
magazine. The excitement was short-lived though, as the week before opening we got the news that the state was going into "pause" mode for two weeks, starting the weekend of Dec. 5, which happened to coincide with the two weekends we had planned to be open. Time to shift plans once again, and so we moved our Christmas opening to the third weekend. We were allowed to open the Gift Shop during the pause, so at least that would help a little bit. But then, we ended up with two storms, so our hopes of having some retail activity was also curtailed.
There's always a silver lining though! In lieu of visiting Santa, Letters to Santa were dropped off in our special mailbox, and Santa made personal follow up calls to some very excited children. As for visiting to enjoy the beautiful decorations.....well, that had to wait till after Christmas. With under 100 visitors coming to see the decorations, it was a shame not to have more visitors enjoy them, especially given the tremendous amount of hours that went into decorating by our talented volunteers. So we captured the stunning decorations in photographs! Personal photo opportunities were set up during January. I'm pleased to share some of those beautiful images with you in this newsletter.
The other great news was the work that was completed behind the scenes this year. The highlight was the construction of our new Archives space. And just in time to receive a pretty important collection that was donated to us by the RISD Museum.
As we begin 2021, I won't begin to predict what the year will be like. The only words I can say are HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It was 20 years ago that we started on this journey into preserving our history! And it was 150 years ago that the Town of Lincoln was formed. So, bring on 2021, and let's salute some great history, achievements and memories!
New Archives Construction Completed
For 20 years, our collections have been growing at a rapid pace, to the point we were busting out at the seams! Every empty closet (and there aren't many) and unused space was taken up with all the wonderful donations that have made it possible for Hearthside to become a museum. The conditions, though, were not the best for old fabrics, paper, and leather.
BEFORE: This is the former storage space, with tents, chairs, displays boxes, coolers, and other equipment used for Hearthside's outdoor events.
AFTER: This is the new archival space with storage racks, counter top and filing cabinets, and tables for laying out items for processing.
Rolling racks hold storage boxes and maximize the space, while making it easy to work with the items when needed.
A successful grant application to The Champlin Foundation for $33,020 during 2019 resulted in the construction of a new archival space that was completed in October. It meant losing out on other much needed storage space in the garage that supported equipment needs for our outdoor events. But it was well worth it. The transformation of the space has been amazing, with insulation, walls, new ceiling, new lights, new flooring, and a heating and air conditioning unit. The space is kept at an consistent temperature and humidity level. Our antique textiles and other artifacts now have the ideal conditions to be stored, which will help insure a longer life for these irreplaceable relics from our past.
As part of the archives, we are also organizing a reference library. Our goal is to eventually open the archives and library for research purposes.
Special thanks to John Scanlon for designing the space and to D&S Construction for a wonderful job in transforming it. And our sincerest gratitude to The Champlin Foundationfor making this dream come true and leaving a lasting legacy!
Santa Brings Magic to Hearthside
My daughter was literally speechless. And that is RARE. She was talking a mile a minute (after the call) about how he was the REAL Santa Claus, because a "helper" Santa Claus wouldn't know about Robin (her elf), or the gifts that she had made for Santa. She even ran to thank Robin! She said the call was "magical." It was amazing!" - From a mom whose daughter's letter to Santa was delivered to Hearthside.
RISD Museum Donates Toy Collection
This dollhouse setee is an example of one of the Tynietoy Company pieces. It has fine hand-painted floral designs on the front and back of it.
Hearthside's remarkable story of items finding their way back to where they once were continues. Our latest chapter involves antique toys.
It all started last January when I received an email from the RISD Museum. Unfortunately, it had landed in my spam folder and I didn't discover it till mid-February. But fortunately, I did find it, and it's a good thing because it was an inquiry as to whether we might be interested in any antique toys that were being deaccessioned from their collection.
With a toy exhibit that was in the works for the spring, I jumped at the chance of adding a few antiques to it. So I sat down to review the catalog of items to select from and almost fell off my chair! The list contained item after item being identified as having been donated byMrs. Arnold G. Talbot! That meant that these toys had come from Hearthside! The Talbots moved in 1926 to Philadelphia and that is when the toys were left to the stewardship of the RISD Museum.
This child-size carriage also has fine detailing including leather seats and fringe. The piece dates to about 1850.
The official transfer of the collection finally took place in November. The toys consist primarily of dollhouse items and miniature furniture. Amey Talbot, a cousin of Arnold Talbot had graduated from RISD, and years later her daughter Amey Vernon put her artistic skills to work by co-founding the Tynietoy Company of Providence in the early 1920s. It is thought that many of her designs were inspired by the heirloom furniture at Hearthside. Some Tynietoy pieces are included in the donation. Tynietoy became quite well known for fine quality dollhouses and the intricate fine details put into their furnishings. Other pieces date much further back and are thought to be among family heirlooms that were handed down through the generations.
Naturally we are very excited to show this extraordinary collection. An exhibit of theTalbot Toyswill be scheduled at some point in the future when we may welcome an unlimited audience.
Christmas at the One-Room Schoolhouse
During the past year, there have been several videos about what life was like in the one-room schoolhouse. These have been important windows into this charming 1850 school at a time when we aren't able to welcome school groups inside. The latest release is about the holiday celebration done each year by the teacher and students for the community. Special thanks to Linda Jennings, our teacher, for the awesome job in creating and starring in the video series and to Tara Anderson for editing and production. And of course to all of Linda's helpers, young and old. Enjoy this look back to simpler times!
New Year – New Volunteers
Now is the time to sign up! • Virtual Meeting Scheduled Wed., Jan. 27th
A new year is a perfect time to consider a new hobby or activity. Why not consider volunteering with us? While we welcome new volunteers at any time of the year, starting now gets you involved before we kick off the new season later this spring.
Did you know that 2021 is the International Year of Volunteers? This global commemoration recognizes the contributions that volunteers make to our society, and the integral part volunteers play in a variety of areas, such as saving historic places such as Hearthside and the historic Great Road.
Volunteers bring enthusiasm and exuberance to their work, and in turn our visitors get excited when they take a tour or attend an event. For the volunteers, the work they do enriches them and enhances self-esteem. They get to share their knowledge and skillsand may even develop new skills. They make new friends and become part of our Hearthside family!
Hearthside Matters! And it is only through the efforts of our volunteers that we are able to accomplish all that we do. If you'd like to join in, send along an email to me at kathy.hartley@hearthsidehouse.org, or better yet to our Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Scully at shell2ri@gmail.com. On Wednesday evening, Jan. 27th at 7:00 p.m., we will hold a Volunteer Meeting via Zoom to discuss all the exciting plans for the year ahead. Everyone may participate and share ideas, or just let us know which ones you like and might want to be a part of. New volunteers are most welcome to come and be a part of this virtual meeting. Just be in touch and we'll send along the link to the meeting. Can't make the meeting? Let us know that you are interested in volunteering, and we'll be in touch with you. We love our volunteers.....after all, without them we wouldn't exist and Hearthside would probably be shuttered and in great need of repair.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!
An old-fashioned Christmas Dec. 27 & Jan. 3 • Self-guided tours took place after Christmas this year.
"Thanks to all who are responsible for making my first ever visit to the Hearthside House a wonderful holiday experience. You and all the volunteers should be proud of how beautifully you have preserved a landmark in RI history. What a great experience to see a slice of history so lovingly cared for, which was a welcome diversion from the craziness of our world today. Thank you again. I will return for other events to support such a RI treasure." - A happy first-time patron
Photographer Frank Grace captured Hearthside's beauty during the holiday. A video of some of his images set to music are in the link below. Enjoy this last bit of Christmas joy!
A theme of flowers prevailed this year in most of the decorations, a very fitting tribute to Hearthside builder, Stephen Hopkins Smith, a noted horticulturist. The music room, decorated by Joyce Leach, featured burgundy hydrangeas and magnolia blossoms, accented by white and gold ornamentation.
Photo by David Cruz
Bev and Jenna Alessandro decorated the ladies bedroom mantle with a stunning display of red flowers and garden greens, which complemented the tree accented with red hydrangeas. Photo by David Cruz
A small tree in the parlor was decorated with eggshell ornaments, each containing miniature scenes, that were created by Althea Allard. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
Socially distancing was a sharp contrast to the usual crowds that visit during the holidays. Docent Joyce Leach points out the Rumford Oven to these visitors. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
Hearthside's dollhouse was all decked out for the holidays thanks to the hard work of Diane Adam, and replicated the decorated rooms throughout the real house. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
The finest details in the dollhouse could be found with a careful eye and moments of study to take it all in. As an example, here is the typewriter in the dollhouse library, complete with a feather pen and if you looked closely, a handwritten note wishing visitors a Merry Xmas! Photo by Kathy Hartley
A holiday ham dinner is set at the table in the dollhouse dining room, complete with mantle decorations and miniature portraits of the Talbot family. Photo by David Cruz
Volunteer Dennis Przybyla chose the Dickens Village for this year's village scene in the library. There are dozens of London buildings and hundreds of accessories that help bring life to the scene. Photo by David Cruz
A cozy fire is an inviting scene in the parlor decorated by Ron and Althea Allard. The tree and mantle were accented by dried hydrangeas, sprayed gold with a slight spray of burgundy as the finishing coat. The flower heads were tucked among the branches of the tree and garland on the mantle. Photo by David Cruz
The tree in the ladies bedroom and display of gifts is reflected in the mirrored armoire. The room was decorated by Bev and Jenna Alessandro. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
A family gazes upon the music room tree, decorated by Joyce Leach. Photo by Susan Gonsalves
An elegant dining room was decorated with white flowers, gold accents, and featured chandelier crystals as ornaments on the tree and nestled among the greens in the windows and mantle. Glittered pinecones hung from the chandelier. Photo by David Cruz
The rustic kitchen was decorated by Christine Maino with dried natural hydrangeas, strung popcorn garlands, and pine roping. On the table was a gingerbread baking session in progress, along with oranges and cloves being made into pomander balls. Photo by Kathy Hartley
Private Photo Sessions
One of the photo sessions during January was this wedding party. Originally, the wedding was planned to take place at Hearthside, but a change in plans to another location didn't deter Nancy Waterman and Bill Anderson from having their special occasion celebrated in pictures taken throughout the elaborately decorated home. Photos by Kathy Hartley
Black Cats, Broken Mirrors & Friday the 13th
Nov. 13
A two-part event that included a visit to Hearthside to pick up a boxed supper, followed by a virtual presentation on superstitions, trivia, and a dramatic reading of "The Black Cat."
As the meal boxes were being prepared and packaged by John Scanlon and Michelle Scully, Ch. 10 reporter R.J. Heim showed up to capture the event which was broadcast that evening on the 6:00 pm news. Photo by Kathy Hartley
Guests who purchased tickets for the event came to Hearthside first and were greeted in the dining room by a display of 13 bad luck symbols, including a broken mirror, shoes on a table, an upside down horseshoe, an open umbrella, a black raven, green paint, a garden hoe, a broom, a ladder, and a black cat. Photo by Susan Gonsalves.
This black cat startled many as they arrived to flaunt fate and pick up their meals (it wasn't real). Photo by Susan Gonsalves.
Meal boxes are lined up and ready to go. Each contained 7 lucky foods along with a lucky penny and a lottery ticket (could be both good fortune or bad luck in the case of Stephen Hopkins Smith). Photo by Jim Hendrickson.
Guest Francine Jackson back at home in front of her computer after surviving a walk under the ladder while picking up her meal boxes. The lucky foods were plentiful and filled up two boxes! Photo by Jim Hendrickson
The virtual presentation was given by Elise Carlson and Carl Johnson of Panorama Paranormal. Carl ended the event with a reading of "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allen Poe. Photo by Jim Hendrickson
Exploring History at the Great Road Heritage Campus
Outdoor Tours at Chase Farm Park and Indoor Tours at Hearthside • Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Nov. 8
History Hikes at Chase Farm were given by yours truly. The 2-hour program covered history of Great Road and this property from the first settlers to today. Photo by Jim Hendrickson
As part of the program, visitors got to stop in at the original Hannaway Blacksmith Shop and watch a demonstration, as well as to learn about the Moffett Mill from docent Kevin Marchand. Because of COVID, trips to the Mill had to be substituted with a talk at the Moffett Mill interpretive panel. Photo by Jim Hendrickson
Stopping by the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse, visitors learned from docent Linda Jennings about a typical day here when it was operating in the 1870s. Visitors went inside to get a close up look at the schoolroom as well as to stop in at the outhouse. Photo by Jim Hendrickson
The hikes took place during ideal fall weather and colors. Photo by Jim Hendrickson
Respite Road: A Private Movie Premier
Nov. 14
We hosted Lincoln resident Michael LoCicero for a special private screening at the rear of the blacksmith shop of his recently completed film, Respite Road. Those who participated in the thriller were invited to the premier. Some scenes in the movie were filmed in Lincoln and in one scene, the car traveled along Great Road right by this spot.
A screen was installed on the back wall of the blacksmith shop for showing the movie.
Not only did Michael write and produce the movie, but he also co-starred in it. Because the screening was held in November, the movie was shown "drive-in" style, with patrons in their cars, and a transmitter broadcasting the sound over the car radios.
