Hearthside - The House That Love Built

2009 SEASON OPENS WITH ANTIQUE SPECTACLES AT LINCOLN’S HISTORIC HEARTHSIDE HOMESTEAD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH

An Open House on Saturday, March 14 th will kickoff the 2009 season at Hearthside, which will be open for guided tours from 1:00-4:00 p.m. A small donation is accepted for the tours.

Visitors are treated to learning the history of this legendary house from guides in period costume. In addition to the tour of all 10 rooms, which are filled with an abundance of interesting antiques and artifacts, is a special exhibit of “Antique Spectacles.” The collection of eyeglasses show the evolution of spectacles, dating from 1750 to the late 19 th century and even includes sunglasses, opera glasses and some pieces that were used with gas masks from World War I and II. Generally, one of the world's most important inventions, spectacles are often taken for granted so this exhibit is meant to celebrate the monumental achievement of their invention by artisans and scientists and whose impact deserves to be better recognized and more widely appreciated. While it is thought that spectacles were invented sometime between 1268 and 1289 to magnify images and to protect eyes from the harmful reflections of the sun's rays, it wasn't actually until 1784 that bifocal lenses were discovered by Benjamin Franklin and not until the early nineteenth century that bifocals were actually accepted.

Also part of the Hearthside exhibits is a Civil War dress from 1860 and porcelain and china dolls from that era, as well as a collection of Victorian dresses. An Edison phonograph is on display and may be heard during the tour. Some early 20 th century prints from noted Providence photographer David Davidson are also on exhibit. Davidson was considered to be one of the nation's top photographers specializing in hand-painted photography, and he shot at several locations around Rhode Island , including Hearthside.

Some of Hearthside's most popular events in the past are back again this year, including a Civil War Battle Re-enactment and Living History, the American Girl Doll Tea, an Afternoon Tea to Celebrate Mother's Day, Fall Festival of Traditional Crafts, and a Victorian Christmas. New this year is an Antiques Fair being held in August with a number of antique dealers selling their artifacts. Regular Open Houses for public tours and other smaller scale events are planned throughout the year as well. The Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, which is also run by the Friends of Hearthside, is open every Saturday morning from 8-12 noon and holds classes in hand forging.

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