Lincoln|Local Event
WE THE PEOPLE: A Journey Through Great Road's History & Legacies
Opening on Sunday, April 19th Hearthside House Museum's featured exhibit for 2026 WE THE PEOPLE will help create connections to the past through places and the lives that have profoundly impacted the formation of our nation 250 years ago as well as our own community in Lincoln. It will delve into a deeper exploration of 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 Revolutionary War hero with ties to Hearthside through his descendant Arnold G. Talbot, serves as a key figure in the exhibit. Through personal letters, 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 Army and Navy and as captain of the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides.”
Rather than focusing solely on dates and events, the exhibit is designed to highlight the human stories behind history—those who arrived here generations ago whose courage, bravery, conviction, and innovation helped shape both the local community and the nation.
This theme carries through to the other historic sites at the Great Road Heritage Campus, all of which will open for the season on April 19th as well. The Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, the Moffett Mill, and the Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse, located at Chase Farm Park, will all be opened between 1-4 pm, with each having their own stories of innovation and role in building our community. The last admittance at all the sites is at 3 pm. Access to the Moffett Mill is only by shuttle van which runs from the parking lot at Chase Farm and Hearthside to the Mill every hour. The museum and sites are opened on select dates through September 19th which are listed on their website.
A special feature next weekend on Saturday, April 25th is the opportunity to “Meet the Artist,” with Peter Campbell, a Lincoln artist whose paintings of the Founding Fathers, the Burning of the Gaspee, and previous Chase Farm Revolutionary War Reenactments will be on display as part of Hearthside's exhibit, many of which will be displayed only until the end of May.
Reservations are not required. Admission is paid at Hearthside, cash preferred. General admission is $15; $10 for youth age 10-17; $5 for child 9 and under.
Hearthside is an award-winning house museum. In conjunction with the museum, the other historic sites at the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park are managed by the all-volunteer Friends of Hearthside. Proceeds help support programming as well as continued restoration and maintenance of the properties. Hearthside is located at 677 Great Road, Lincoln and Chase Farm Park with the other historic sites at 671 Great Road. For questions, contact info@hearthsidehouse.org or 401-726-0597.