HEARTHSIDE MUSEUM FEATURES SPECIAL EXHIBIT & PRESENTATIONS CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH

A milestone year is ahead for Hearthside House Museum as it celebrates 25 years of preservation, storytelling, and community impact with a new season centered around its signature 2026 exhibit, “WE THE PEOPLE: A Journey Through Great Road’s History & Legacies.”  Opening on April 19th, the exhibit features the 250th anniversary of our country and runs until September 19th.  Peter Campbell, a Lincoln artist whose paintings of the Founding Fathers, the Burning of the Gaspee, and Chase Farm Reenactments, has provided several of his paintings for display as part of the exhibit.  The exhibit is supported in part by a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250). 

Through the exhibit and activities held in conjunction with it, connections to the past through places and the lives that have profoundly impacted the formation of our nation and our own community in Lincoln are explored.  Learn about the people who lived, worked, and built their lives along the historic Great Road—one of the region’s earliest and most important transportation routes dating to 1683. At the center of this year’s experience is a name many may not yet recognize—but soon will.  Commodore Silas Talbot, a Rhode Island Revolutionary War hero with ties to Hearthside through his descendant Arnold G. Talbot, serves as a key figure in the exhibit. Through artifacts such as historic weaponry, and historical interpretation by docents and informative panels, his story offers a window into the courage, resilience, and ambition that defined the early years of the United States.  Among his many notable achievements was serving in both the Continental Army and Navy and as captain of the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides.”  

Surrounding his story are broader themes of immigration, innovation, and identity—encouraging visitors to reflect on their own family histories and how they connect to the larger American story. This theme carries through to the other historic sites at the Great Road Heritage Campus.  The Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, the Moffett Mill, and the Pullen’s Corner One-Room Schoolhouse will all be opened in conjunction with Hearthside's exhibit, each with their own stories, between 1-4 pm, with the last admittance at 3 pm.  The museum and sites are opened on select dates which are listed on the website.

Hearthside's Lecture Series provides guests an optional opportunity to attend themed presentations, workshops, and interactive programs that explore topics like Revolutionary War history, family genealogy, and preserving heirlooms for future generations. A special presentation on Sunday, July 12th is “Creating a Family Archive, Leaving a Personal Legacy” being presented at 1:45 pm on the grounds of the museum.  Author and long-time archivist Rhonda Chadwick presents many helpful ideas of what to save and how to store many different kinds of memorabilia for families wishing to pass along their history to future generations.  Her books will be available for sale as well.  The museum opens early at noon on days that feature special presentations, allowing for museum visitation before or after the lecture. The event is from 12 noon-4:00 pm, with last entry at 3:15 pm.

Visitors are also encouraged to take the opportunity to visit the other Great Road Heritage Campus sites. Tours are offered at the quaint Moffett Mill, built in 1812.  This wooden machine shop is a rare relic from the early industrial revolution and is frozen in time now as a museum with all equipment still in place as it once was.  Access to the Mill is through shuttle service only, leaving from Hearthside for tours at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm.  Admission is included with exhibit ticket or paid separately.  Parking and check in at Hearthside.  

Lincoln's last remaining one-room schoolhouse now resides at Chase Farm Park as part of the Great Road Heritage Campus.  This charming schoolhouse is a museum itself, filled with antique educational books and artifacts once used by those who attended the school affectionately known as the “Hot Potato School.” 

Demonstrations of hand forging also take place at the original Hannaway Blacksmith Shop at the entrance to Chase Farm Park.

An added stop for discovering even more history is at the Saylesville Friends Meetinghouse at 374 Great Road, where Quakers have gathered since it was built in 1704.  Learn about the conflicts by numerous members of the Friends who had to choose between their loyalty to their religion or to pursue liberty for our nation during the Revolution. Visit the Meetinghouse during the July 12 and 25 openings.

Hearthside's lecture series will continue on August 1st with a theatrical presentation about the life of Silas Talbot and his legacies.  Other upcoming presentations include “Caring for Your Antique Textiles” on August 30th and “Modern Day Pioneers of the Blackstone Valley” as the final one being held on September 12th.    

The lecture series had kicked off on Sunday, June 14th with “The Implements of War.”  It was presented by noted antique arms historian and collector Stuart C. Mowbray at 1:30 p.m.  Mowbray’s connection to Hearthside is both professional and personal. As a child, he was the youngest member of the last family to reside in the historic house before it was purchased by the town and became a museum. Today, he is recognized internationally as an authority on antique weapons, having authored more than 200 books and articles on the subject. He also serves as editor of Gun and Sword Collector magazine, founded by his father, renowned historic arms collector and publisher E. Andrew Mowbray.  

The Implements of War presentation featured selected items from the Revolutionary period that are from Mowbray’s extensive collection, several of which are displayed in the museum as part of the current exhibit and were also once displayed at Hearthside as part of his father’s sword and gun collection. During his talk, Mowbray shared his unique stories of growing up surrounded by these antiques with such a remarkable history.  Attendees also learned the fascinating origins of the antique cannon prominently displayed on the museum’s front lawn.  

Other highlights through the exhibit included Flag Day that took place on June 14th at the Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse, featuring a one-day exhibit and a special guest for the occasion. Betsy Ross, who was the legendary seamstress credited with sewing the first United States flag, will greet visitors outside the one-room schoolhouse.  Inside the schoolroom will be a display of historic flags from President Roosevelt’s time, World War II, and several others.  In honor of the nation’s 250th, a reproduction of a flag from the 2nd RI Regiment will be featured along with a re-enactor, Kirk Hindman, in period attire and carrying an original musket from the Revolution.

For more information and to purchase tickets for Hearthside's WE THE PEOPLE exhibit, visit greatroadheritagecampus.org.  The fee for the exhibit is $15 and includes the additional presentations, as well as admission to the other sites at the Great Road Heritage Campus.  Admission to attend only the lecture presentations is $8.  For visits to the Mill only, admission is $5.   For questions, contact info@hearthsidehouse.org or call (401) 726-0597.

The Great Road Heritage Campus preserves and interprets the rich history of northern Rhode Island through its collection of historic structures, exhibits, educational programs, and community events. The campus includes the nationally recognized Hearthside House Museum, the Pullen’s Corner School House, The Hannaway Blacksmith Shop and the Moffett Mill, all serving as a center for exploring local, state, and national history.  The sites are being preserved and managed by the all-volunteer nonprofit organization Friends of Hearthside.