BeDazzled by Psychics & Miniatures at Hearthside House

A “mini” outdoor psychic fair will bedazzle visitors as a special feature accompanying Hearthside’s “The Joy & Wonder of Miniatures” exhibit inside the museum, giving guests the option of doing both, or just selecting one or the other.

Special guest “Mary Todd Lincoln,” portrayed by one of Hearthside’s interpreters, will greet visitors to the grounds. The former first lady was a staunch believer in Spiritualism, which was at its height during the mid-late 19th century.  Mrs. Lincoln, having lost her son and her husband, spent a good many years in mourning and even hosted seances in the White House in an attempt to make contact with her loved ones.

Guests will have a variety of different offerings to select from, such as tarot card readings and aura photography. Session times and pricing vary with each reader.  Those wishing to participate may sign up upon arrival for their choice of reader, time slot, type of reading, and pricing. Individual tents offer privacy for the readings. Readers are: Shelley Boyer, Charlynn DeVito, Sarah Gagne, Jill Hillery, Sonya Jace, Amanda McLaughlin, Sha Blackburn, and Heather Woodman.  This feature is only being offered on this day of the exhibit which concludes Sept. 8th.

Inside the museum, visitors may discover over a hundred miniatures, including numerous antiques, displayed throughout 13 rooms.  The awe at the precision and skill it took to make the miniatures is coupled with the fun of participating in a scavenger hunt to find some of the tiniest ones at just 1/4 inch in size.  Miniatures include objects of interest to all, with dollhouses, toy soldiers, dioramas, small scale models of trains, planes and automobiles, household items, tools, and more. Raffle prizes are also offered.  Admission to the exhibit is $12; $8 youth age 10-17; age 9 and under free.  Advance registration for the exhibit is available through hearthsidehouse.org.  The event runs between 11 am-3:30 pm.

The Friends of Hearthside is hosting this event and exhibit as part of its mission to bring history to life for the benefit of preserving, promoting, and interpreting history at the 19th century properties of the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park.