Rhode Island’s Revolutionary War Hero, Silas Talbot, Comes to Life

Rhode Island’s own Revolutionary War Hero, Silas Talbot, whose colorful wartime career included serving as captain in both the Continental Army and Continental Navy, as well as captain of the USS Constitution, will be brought to life on Saturday, August 1st through an original, dramatized reading written especially for the Great Road Heritage Campus (GRHC) in Lincoln as part of its ongoing celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Audience members will enjoy a whimsical, yet factual in-character exchange between Silas and his granddaughter-in-law Charlotte Richmond Talbot. Their spirited dialogue explores Silas Talbot’s life and his fearless exploits captaining a Revolutionary fire ship. Other themes include Talbot’s controversial slave ownership, and the enduring legacies left by later members of the Talbot family. These include a firm refusal by Charles Nicoll Talbot to participate in the China opium trade, as well as the celebrated Hearthside Looms handweaving business run by Arnold and Katharine Talbot at Great Road’s Hearthside House in the early twentieth century. Two presentations of the telling of the Talbot family legacy for this celebration of the nation's 250th will be staged at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. under the tent at the Hearthside House Museum.

The presentation complements the current exhibit, “We the People, A Journey Though Great Road’s History and Legacy” which is part of America 250 presentations hosted by the GRHC, offering unique perspectives on local people, events, and objects that shaped the nation’s history. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the exhibit before the presentation through the early opening of the museum at noon and again following each performance, with the last admission at 3:15 pm. The museum closes at 4 pm.

At 4:00 p.m., a tree dedication will take place in honor of the late Bill Talbot’s support of the GRHC. Bill treasured his family heritage and generously gave Talbot family heirlooms to be a permanent part of Hearthside House’s collection.

The multi-faceted experience around the theme of “We the People” continues at the other museum sites of the Great Road Heritage Campus with tours starting at 1 pm. and the last admission at 3:15 pm.

One of the rarest survivors of the early Industrial Revolution is the Moffett Mill, built at the time of the War of 1812. Among the first wooden machine shops in the state, the Moffett Mill, was first owned by the Olney family and later by the Moffett family. Original tools and equipment remain in place at this former versatile job shop, which provides a real sense of a journey back in time to when the water-powered mill was still in operation. Access to the Mill is only by shuttle van that leaves from Hearthside at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pm.

Learn about what it was like to be a student during the 1800s learning about the Revolution at the Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse, also known as the "Hot Potato School." This charming one-room schoolhouse was Lincoln’s last one, where students from kindergarten through age 14 were taught by one teacher and all ages together.

Bill Hannaway's Blacksmith Shop, which originally started as part of the Moffett Mill, continues to produce hand-forged items in the historic shop that once sat across from Hearthside. Today, it is at the entrance to Chase Farm Park, where every weekend students may learn the craft of hand forging in the same shop that served residents, farms, and businesses in this community during its early years.

Guests may choose options for their visit. Admission to the museum is $15 and includes tours of all the campus sites and the Talbot presentation. Attendance for just the presentation is $8; and for just visiting the Mill $5, which includes the shuttle van transport.

Advance registration/payment is available through the website greatroadheritagecampus.org. There is no fee to visit the blacksmith shop. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated at the schoolhouse.

For more information, visit the Great Road Heritage Campus website at greatroadheritagecampus.org. Hearthside is located at 677 Great Road, with parking available across the street. The Campus is located at Chase Farm Park, 671 Great Road, Lincoln, RI, with parking available in the lot behind the blacksmith shop. For questions, contact info@hearthsidehouse.org or call (401) 726-0597. "We the People" is supported in part by a grant from the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250).