Gone But Not Forgotten: Death & Mourning Customs in the Victorian Era at Hearthside Museum

Death and mourning customs during the 19th century are featured during Hearthside House Museum's annual exhibit, Gone But Not Forgotten, which runs for two weekends this month, starting Oct. 19th. This unusual exhibit explores the fascinating traditions that families practiced during the mourning period, which includes an extensive display of antique funerary objects, stationery, clothing and accessories, all arranged among the rooms in the home throughout three floors of the museum. The subject being mourned for this exhibit is former homeowner Simon E. Thornton, who passed away in his Great Road home in 1873. Guests arriving at the exhibit will find that there is purple and black bunting adorning the exterior of the house, be greeted by docents in black period attire, and black draping on mirrors and mantles. The exhibit is a fully-guided, 90-minute tour.

There are antique coffins, a collection of Victorian mourning dresses, bonnets, and jewelry, some that are lovingly made with human hair of the deceased.  Included are numerous superstitions that guided many of the Victorians actions and beliefs about death, mourning, and funerals. Other topics include post-mortem photography, the belief in vampires, the fear of being buried alive, and spiritualism. One of the features of the exhibit are antique embalming tools and an explanation of the process that the undertaker performed when preparing the deceased's body right in the home, just as was the case for Simon Thornton at Hearthside. The actual undertaker’s records where Simon Thornton’s death was recorded are on display as well. In appreciation for "paying respects" to Simon, guests will leave with a wrapped funeral biscuit, tied with a black ribbon and sealed with black wax, as was commonly done during the 19th century.

The Gone But Not Forgotten exhibit is offered on four dates, with two evening programs held on Oct. 19 and 26 between 4:00-7:30 pm. and two afternoon programs on Oct. 20 and 27 between 12:30-4:00 pm.

Advanced ticket purchase is required for the exhibit, with timed entry and limited space on each tour. For reservations and ticket purchase, visit the website hearthsidehouse.org. For any questions, contact info@hearthsidehouse.org or 401-726-0597.

Hearthside dates back to 1810 and has been the home of 11 different families, with many of its homeowners passing away in the house.  The town of Lincoln acquired it in 1996.  It is now a house museum run by the volunteer nonprofit organization, Friends of Hearthside, whose mission is to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of this historic property and the other town-owned sites at the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park and to raise funds for their continued restoration.