Twenty Years of Preservation Built on Love

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  This quote by Margaret Mead is the mantra that Kathy Hartley, President and Founder of Friends of Hearthside has used since she first started the effort to open the doors of the Hearthside House in 2001, and it has served her and the volunteers well over the last 20 years.  

Hearthside House Museum and Friends of Hearthside are celebrating their 20th Anniversary since taking over and preserving the “House that Love Built.”   We had the opportunity to join them as they celebrated this momentous occasion on a lovely day in June with the beautiful setting of Chase Farm as the backdrop. You will be amazed by what this group of mostly volunteers has done in the last 20 years.

They went from a house without furnishings to restoring the full historic grandeur of what this historic house represents — generations of several different families and family stories to share beginning with the original story of Stephen Hopkins who built the house in 1810 to impress his sweetheart. 

In addition to the house, the “Great Road Heritage Campus,” which the area is now known includes the town-owned Chase Farm Park (a former dairy farm c. 1867 and also a great spot for a family picnic or hike), the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop (c. 1880) and most recently the Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse (c. 1850) and the Moffett Mill (c. 1812).  Learn More.

When you visit here, you travel back in time covering three centuries of history and are greeted by costumed docents of Friends of Hearthside who interpret and share the many important stories of 19th century life and the families who lived them — all done out of sheer love of history and preservation.  Read On.

Last year was a challenging year for Hearthside just like anyplace else, but the Friends group stepped up by offering unique programming including outdoor movies.  They also utilized the time well to do some additional preservation work on the windows.  

There is always something to discover in the house and recently a hidden door was located within the wall of the house library. Hartley says, “While they knew that a door was located in that spot, finding the door in that spot fully intact was a surprise.” 

In honor of the anniversary, Friends of Hearthside has many events planned throughout the year including a few outdoor movie nights including a movie night fundraiser with a viewing of “The Titanic” on September 18. This month, which is National Ice Cream Month, there will be a return of the popular “Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social and Garden Party” on Sunday, July 25th from 12 – 3 pm.  There will also be a return of the beloved American Girl Doll events starting with the Doll Garden Party on Saturday, July 31 starting at noon.

Be sure to check this place out if not this month maybe soon, or come in the Fall for Great Road Day on September 25th.

For a complete list of the 20th Anniversary events visit Hearthside House & Great Road Heritage Campus Calendar of Events.

Image: Hearthside House, the House that Love Built courtesy of Friends of Hearthside