Hearthside - The House That Love Built

“Footsteps in History” at Hearthside on Saturday, October 8th

NEWS
DATE: October 3, 2005

Contact: Kathy Hartley
Friends of Hearthside
274-7200 (days) or 334-2209 (evenings)

Lincoln ---Pegged as the biggest mobilization of culture, heritage and the arts in the Blackstone Valley history, the Blackstone Valley “Footsteps in History” will feature nearly 150 historic sites open during Columbus Day weekend throughout 24 communities from Worcester to Pawtucket. This first-time ever event is an initiative of the Blackstone River Valley Tourism Collaborative to encourage and support community efforts for the preservation of our cultural heritage. This is the first event held in recognition of the Preserve America designation to the communities of the Blackstone River Valley Corridor, which was presented last year by the White House.

In Lincoln, the theme is “300 Years in 3 Miles: The Heart and Soul of the Blackstone River – Ordinary People, Everyday Lives,” to focus more on the lives of our forbearers, instead of the structures they lived in. The Lincoln event takes place from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8 th. Shuttle buses will be available, starting at the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop at Chase Farm Park on Great Road, beginning at 12 noon. From there, visitors may take the bus to a number of sites within the 3 mile radius.

The first stop is the Eleazer Arnold House (1693) where visitors will learn about the changing faiths and religion in Lincoln’s oldest family, the Arnold’s. Just around the corner is the next stop, the 1704 Saylesville Friends Meeting House, one of the earliest Quaker meeting houses in the state. Many prominent Quakers worshipped there and their grave sites are located there. From there, the bus will return to the 1870 Hannaway Blacksmith Shop where hand forging demonstrations will take place. Then, it’s on to Hearthside, where visitors will be transported back to the early 1900’s when the Talbot family ran a very successful hand weaving business called the “Hearthside Looms.” Many of the weavers were immigrants. Helping to tell that story will be several members from the popular group, Pendragon, who will perform traditional Irish and French Canadian music from 2-3:30 p.m. An assortment of restored antique buggies and wagons is on display in the front yard of Hearthside.

Another shuttle bus will head up Great Road, also leaving from the Hannaway Shop. This one will also make a drop at Hearthside and then continue on to the 1694 Valentine Whitman House, another classic example of a stone-ender. There, visitors will learn about the lime quarry industry and about the families who lived here. Also featured is a talk about the farming in Lime Rock and a spinning and weaving demonstration, complete with a live sheep. From the Whitman House, the bus will continue on into Quinnville to Captain Wilbur Kelly House along the Blackstone River Bike Path, where visitors will tour the museum and learn about early transportation of goods from Providence to Worcester.

Both shuttle buses will run continuously until tours close at 4:00 p.m. and return all visitors to the Hannaway Shop parking lot.

For more information on the weekend event, visit www.footstepsinhistory.com.

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