Gone But Not Forgotten: Death & Mourning in the Victorian Era

Death and mourning customs during the 19th century are featured during Hearthside’s annual exhibit, Gone But Not Forgotten, which opens on Sunday afternoon Oct. 15.  This popular event includes an extensive display of antique funerary objects, clothing and accessories arranged among the rooms throughout three floors of the house museum. Former homeowner Simon E. Thornton, who passed away here in 1873, is memorialized with black draping on mirrors and mantles, and purple and black bunting outside of the house as the “household” prepares for the mock wake.  Fully-guided 90-minute tours are led by docents dressed in black period mourning attire.

Visitors learn about the customs and superstitions that were prevalent during the period following the Civil War that were adapted from Queen Victoria’s influence.  It was a time when families experienced death of loved ones frequently and the customs helped as a source of comfort.  It was also when embalming practices came to be popular.  The exhibit features antique embalming tools and the process that the undertaker performed when preparing the deceased’s body right in the home.

Included in the well-researched display are antique coffins, a collection of Victorian mourning dresses, bonnets, and jewelry, some made with human hair.  Post-mortem photographs and topics such as the belief in vampires, the fear of being buried alive, and spiritualism are also covered.

As part of the Gone But Not Forgotten exhibit will be a presentation by special guests, Ron Carlson, on “Faces of the Forgotten.”  Inspired by walking through cemeteries and reading headstones, Carlson became curious as to the stories behind the names.  His intrigue resulted in his travels around the country as he traces forgotten history and brings to life the stories of those long gone.  He shares those stories through a history channel on YouTube called “Faces of the Forgotten,” which started in 2020 during the COVID outbreak and has since drawn some 500,000 subscribers.  Ron Carlson is traveling to RI to join in Hearthside’s exhibit by bringing some of his most amazing tales to a presentation on Friday, October 20th from 7-9 p.m. being held at the Chase Farm Visitors Center.

The Gone But Not Forgotten exhibit is offered on four dates, with two evening programs held on Oct. 21 and 28 between 4-7:30 pm. and two afternoon programs on Oct. 15 and 29 between 12:30-4 pm.

Advanced ticket purchase is required for both the Gone But Not Forgotten exhibit and the Faces of the Forgotten presentation.  Limited space on the staggered admission times for the tours and for the Oct. 20th presentation.  For reservations and ticket purchase, go to www.hearthsidehouse.org.

Built in 1810, Hearthside House had been a home to 11 families over its history before being purchased by the town of Lincoln.  It is now an award-winning house museum run by the volunteers of the Friends of Hearthside, who raise funds through tours and programs to support the restoration and preservation of this building as well as three other 19th century town-owned sites at the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park.  Hearthside is located at 677 Great Road. For more information, call 726-0597 or [email protected].