Each of these tours 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.  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 ownership passed to the Town of Lincoln in 1997.  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 surprise discovery of an entrance door that was hidden within the wall.  Also the addition of a very rare antique Tynie toy dollhouse that belonged to Mary Ann Lippitt, whose family at one time owned the Manville Mills.

On this date, we will also offer an Optional Exterior Tour which not only provides details of its unique architectural features but also background on the history of the area and some of the social history of the house.

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.  The exterior tour will be held once at 12:30 p.m. with a limit of 16 guests.

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.

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 appreciate your purchase!