An unusual exhibit of rare, early 20th century hand-painted photographs of Lincoln’s Hearthside House (c.1810) will open on Sunday, June 24th. “Color and Light: Early 20th Century Photographs of Hearthside” features more than 40 photographs of Hearthside taken between 1907-1912, along with numerous antique artifacts from the photographer’s studio, and set in the historic house where the photographs were actually taken. The exhibit is an exciting blend of both history and art.

The exhibit showcases two photographers from Rhode Island, nationally-renowned David Davidson, and Rufus Waterman. Both of these talented photographers were influenced by Wallace Nutting, the leader of the hand-colored photography movement during the early twentieth century in which black-and-white photographs are colorized with watercolor paints. It was the beginning of “color photography.”

Another unusual aspect of this exhibit is the inclusion of numerous artifacts that belonged to David Davidson. Featured among the items are his box-style camera and tripod which was used to take the photographs, cases, greeting cards, actual table used in coloring the photographs, several photographs in various stages of being colored, the Davidson sign that hung outside his Providence studio, and the 150 year-old shawl worn by Mrs. Davidson in his photographs taken at Hearthside. Also shown are the Bronze Medal that Davidson received at the 1915 World’s Fair in San Francisco, as well as rare pictures he took of Siksika Indians on their reservation taken during his trip to Glacier National Park in 1914.

During the early part of the 20th century, Hearthside House was home to Arnold G. Talbot, where he operated a nationally-renowned hand weaving business from its attic. In 1907, just as David Davidson of Providence was starting his business, the stately stone mansion in Lincoln created a curiosity and allure as the subject for this young photographer’s photographs of Colonial scenes, both inside and outside the house. These colorful photographs represent the Colonial Revival movement, a time during which there was a sense of nostalgia and a development of interest in antiques. The photographs feature scenes with subjects wearing Colonial attire, rather than the fashion of the times, in rooms throughout the home.

Packed away for more than 100 years, these photographs were discovered by Talbot’s grandson and donated to Hearthside. The museum first exhibited the photographs in 2012 along with several artifacts on loan from the Davidson family. This unique exhibit, which was first made possible through a major grant from the RI Council for the Humanities, was recognized with a national award from the American Association for State and Local History and was featured in the Sept./Oct. 2012 issue of the National Endowment for the Humanities Magazine.

“We are thrilled to bring back this exhibit, especially since we found that most people had no idea that this art form existed. In and of themselves, the photographs are highly artistic, but they also provide a period documentation of Hearthside’s spectacular interior and the surrounding landscape. They are a wonderful example of the architectural and decorative arts revival which emphasized New England’s colonial heritage,” states Kathy Hartley, president of the Friends of Hearthside, the volunteer organization which runs the museum.

Traveling salesmen, toting catalogs of Davidson’s picture inventory, sold Davidson’s photographs to stores and gift shops throughout New England and New York. Davidson’s photographs were so popular by the 1920s, there was hardly a wedding or bridal shower in New England that did not include a Davidson photograph as a gift. The Shepard Company, a major department store in downtown Providence during the time, dedicated an entire room in the store to displaying his framed photographs for sale. Davidson went on to document World War I, both in photographs and movies. His newsreel films, Rhode Island Weekly, were shown in theaters prior to the feature films.

General admission is $10; $5 ages 10-17; members and 9 and under free. Hours are from 1-4 p.m. with the last admission at 3 p.m. Costumed interpreters provide information to visitors during tours through the house and exhibit.

A special presentation is scheduled to take place at Lincoln’s Summer Celebration at Chase Farm Park on Sunday, July 22 by Michael Pellegrino, an avid collector and expert on early 20thcentury hand-colored photographs, especially of David Davidson’s work.

The Color & Light exhibit remains on display throughout the summer, with additional public openings on July 22, and August 26.