Guided History Tours of Hearthside & Other Sites on Sun. June 13, 2021 

Best known for its unusual architecture, Hearthside also has lots of stories about its previous owners to tell and an impressive array of antiques and artifacts to show.  Throughout the year, a number of exhibits and special programs are held that feature some aspects of its history.  But sometimes, we just conduct tours to showcase its full history. One of those times is on Sunday, June 13th as we host fully-guided history tours of Hearthside. 

On this date, we are pleased to open all our sites so there will be Additional Tours at the 3 other historic properties at Chase Farm Park as well as an optional exterior architectural tour at Hearthside.  

 The exterior architectural tour at Hearthside will be offered just once at 12:30 p.m.  This tour not only provides details of the unique architectural features of this house and its construction, but also background on the history of the area and some of the social history of the house. 

Hearthside's guided tours, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with the last one at 3:30, are led by docents in period attire and take an hour and 15 minutes. Inside the house, the tour includes 11 rooms on the first and second floors. During the summer months, the attic space will be closed but we expect to re-open it during the fall.  Through the tour, you'll learn about the fascinating history of Hearthside and its legendary beginnings as the result of a winning lottery ticket.  "The House That Love Built" has welcomed several different families as its residents over the past 200 years, until 1997 when ownership passed to the Town of Lincoln.  Over this time, Hearthside has been home to a candle and soap maker, a lawyer, a horse breeder, several farmers, a real estate developer, a merchant, a hand-weaving business, a coal and lumber dealer, a mill owner, a printer, and a publisher.  

For returning visitors, some new features are a recent discovery of the original back entrance door that was hidden within the wall.  Also, a new donation has been received of a very rare antique Tynietoy dollhouse that had belonged to Mary Ann Lippitt, whose family at one time owned the Manville Mills in Lincoln.  A connection to Hearthside of Tynietoy  is also the fact that its' co-founder was a relative of Arnold Talbot, who lived at Hearthside 1904-1926.

Timed admissions are in allotments every 30 minutes and no more than 8 guests per slot starting at 1:00 p.m. for the interior tours with the last one at 3:30 p.m.  The exterior tour will be held once at 12:30 p.m. with a limit of 16 guests. Hearthside tours run for 1 hr. 15 min. both indoor and outdoor.

Next door at Chase Farm Park, our other 3 historic sites will be open as well.  Beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse (also known as "The Hot Potato School," you'll experience what it was like to attend school here from 1850-1920 with kids of all ages up to grade 8.  Stop by with the kids for an old-fashioned school activity too.  Plan on 20-30 min. The schoolhouse will close at 4:00 p.m.

A rare chance to visit the Moffett Mill is also offered on this day, and the only way to do it is through transportation by our shuttle bus, which may be picked up at Hearthside or at Chase Farm Park starting at 1:00 p.m. with the last one at 3:30 p.m.

The Moffett Mill dates to 1812 and is "frozen in time" as if back in 1900 the workers left here for the day and never returned, leaving all their tools in place and ready to start their job the next day in making customized tools, wagons, boxes, or whatever needs fixing at area businesses, farms, or households.  Plan on 30 min. for the tour and transportation which runs continuously between the sites.

The blacksmith will be giving demonstration at the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, located at the entrance to Chase Farm Park, from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.  Admission is free and you can stay for 10 min. or 30 min., it's up to you and your interest.  This is a great chance to preview what it might be like to take classes here.  You can speak to the instructor directly to learn more.

Our Gift Shop is open during the tours both to visitors for the tours, as well as the general public.  Proceeds help support the museum, so we really appreciate your purchase as you complete your tour!

ALL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES MUST BE RESERVED AND ADMISSION PAID FOR IN ADVANCE.  General admission at Hearthside is $12; $5 ages 10-17; Members receive free tours based on current dues level. Includes admission at the other sites.  For visits to the Mill, admission is $5 per person, or to the schoolhouse, $5 per family. Visits to the Blacksmith Shop are free.