Hearthside - The House That Love Built

Grant Received to Restore Chimney ‘Pipes of Pan’

Imagine sitting by a cozy fire in this lovely house and hearing the sound of a flute emanating from the fireplace. Never heard of such of thing? Not surprising since it is thought to be quite rare. But, according to the previous families who lived at Hearthside, there is an extraordinary instrument built into the fireplace in the parlor called the "Pipes of Pan. "For the past 30 years though, the fireplace has been closed up, and there has ben no evidence that such a rarity exists. Now, thanks to a $6,000 grant just received by the Mary Dexter Chafee Foundation, Friends of Hearthside is about to embark on a discovery process to locate these mysterious pipes, make the necessary repairs to the chimney, and get the fireplace working once again with the hopes of hearing the Pipes of Pan.

The Pipes of Pan are located in this fireplace.

"Pandean Pipes," from Greek mythology, consisted of 3 or 4 hollow pipes, and these instruments were played throughout the world for thousands of years. By the 19th century, Pan's Pipes had become one of the most popular of all musical toys. Such instruments have been found in old castle ruins in Europe, but it is thought to be quite rare in this country...and could even be the only place in the world...that Pipes of Pan have been installed into a chimney in a house such as that at Hearthside.

A turn of the knob on the front of the fireplace set the pipes into motion so that when the fire was lit and the wind was just right, the notes would float through the room and provide a very special ambience. Perhaps installing this unique musical instrument was just one more attempt made by Stephen Hopkins Smith to make sure that he gave his lady love the most extravagant house where they could live happily ever after. Sadly, we know that it was a futile attempt.

As soon as the spring weather sets in, work will begin to get into the chimney and begin the discovery and restoration process. Watch this website for an update on our progress!

Return to top