Hearthstone Historic House Museum
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The Hearthstone Historic House Museum beckons visitors with its grandeur and historical significance. Even before entering the museum, take a moment to admire the magnificent magnolia tree that stands sentinel in front. Its aged beauty hints at the rich history housed within the museum's walls. Step inside Hearthstone and embark on a captivating journey back to the dawn of the electric age. This Queen Anne-style mansion, built in 1882, holds the distinction of being the first residence in the United States powered by a central hydroelectric station based on the Thomas Edison system. Guided tours are the best way to delve into the museum's treasures. As you walk through the meticulously preserved rooms, your guide will shed light on the life and times of Henry James Rogers, the paper industry magnate who once called Hearthstone home. You'll marvel at the original light fixtures, intricate woodwork, and beautiful stained glass that adorn the interior. The Hearthstone Historic House Museum isn't just about showcasing the past; it brings history to life. The informative exhibits and engaging displays will ignite your curiosity, while the hands-on experiences in the basement's Discovery Center are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors of all ages. Whether you're a history buff or simply looking for a unique and educational outing in Appleton, the Hearthstone Historic House Museum is a must-visit. It offers a glimpse into a bygone era where innovation and grandeur walked hand-in-hand.
Jamie DolanJamie Dolan
00
What an amazing place. The tour states that it's about an hour, but you could tell how in love the house and the history our house was, and th tour was about an hour and 45 mins. Every detail of the house is preserved and it's fascinating that through varied ownership how much remained original. Even though the items displayed aren't specifically original to the house it's all time period correct, and donated from locals to showcase their respect for the house. Room to room there is so much to see in every corner. Our guide knew every knook of the house, gave time for photos, and really wanted to ensure each member on the tour had time to appreciate the environment around them. Entry was around 12$s per person and I saw comments saying it was pricey in some reviews. You can't eat at Burger King for that price, or see a film. This is well worth the money but knowing it preserves such a beautiful landmark is more than enough for the asking admission.
Lord EldwynLord Eldwyn
00
Our family had a truly wonderful experience at the Hearthstone Historic House Museum. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the beautifully preserved architecture and the rich history inside the home. What really made the visit exceptional, though, was our tour guide, George. George was absolutely phenomenal—knowledgeable, engaging, and incredibly patient with our four boys, who had a lot of questions. He answered every one of them with kindness and enthusiasm, turning the tour into a memorable learning experience for all of us. His passion for the history of the home and the people who lived there really brought everything to life. We were very impressed with the museum itself—each room is carefully curated and full of fascinating artifacts. If you’re in the area, we highly recommend a visit. It’s a gem of a museum, and if you’re lucky enough to have George as your guide, you’re in for a real treat.
Bryan “Dad of 4”Bryan “Dad of 4”
00
The Hearthstone House in Appleton, WI is located on the bank of the Fox River. Built in the late 1800's and lays claim to being the first residence to have electric lights generated by hydroelectric power. Tucked away off the downtown area you might drive by and not know its significance. Your modest admission cost includes a tour of the property which is something you want to take time to do. We had a very pleasant docent named Christine that has been volunteering for 19 years. The house surprisingly has been occupied as a residence and modified somewhat as a restaurant until 1987. Now a museum piece with period correct furnishings, corrected kitchen and design as close to original as possible. Extremely high value find and worth both the time and money to visit and enjoy.
Jim HeinzelmanJim Heinzelman
00
Super detailed, fascinating tour. Absolutely beautiful museum. Still in the process of being restored, so don't be shy about letting them keep the change after you pay the $8 entry fee. Staff is all volunteer, and their live and respect for history is glowingly obvious. At least 1 of the volunteers is from one of the families who owned and lived in the house. The community's appreciation for the foundation's work to save the house is also evident; almost none if the furnishings are original to the house. All of the incredibly valuable filler pieces were either donated or sold to them at below cost. Truly a magnificent way to spend a few hours!
sumone udonosumone udono
00
We did the tour of this house today....and are so happy we decided to stop by. Our tour guide was very friendly, and she knew so much about this place. This house is incredibly beautiful, and you can tell that a LOT of love and care went into building and restoring this beautiful example of high end late 1800s homes. The story behind this house is worth the tour alone, and getting to actually walk through it was a real treat. If you find yourself in Appleton, and have a couple of hours to kill, we definitely recommend stopping by and taking the tour....it is totally worth it.
Floyd LinaberryFloyd Linaberry
00
Nearby Attractions Of Hearthstone Historic House Museum
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
Pierce Park
Hilton Appleton Paper Valley
Lutz Park
Fox Cities Exhibition Center
Jones Park
Angels Forever - Windows of Light
Appleton Cigar Co.
Expert Jewelry Repair & Design
Appleton Downtown, Inc.

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
4.7
(1.1K)Click for details

Pierce Park
4.7
(598)Click for details

Hilton Appleton Paper Valley
3.7
(392)Click for details

Lutz Park
4.5
(305)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Hearthstone Historic House Museum
Sangria's Mexican Grill
Good Company
Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant
The Cozzy Corner
Pullmans At Trolley Square
Katsu-Ya of Japan
Victoria's Italian Cuisine
Skyline Comedy Club
Stone Arch Brewpub
Mai's Deli

Sangria's Mexican Grill
4.7
(1.1K)Click for details

Good Company
4.3
(1.1K)Click for details

Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant
4.5
(988)$$
Click for details

The Cozzy Corner
4.4
(915)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
625 W Prospect Ave, Appleton, WI 54911, United States
Map
Phone
+1 920-730-8204
Call
Website
hearthstonemuseum.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.8
(221 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
The Hearthstone Historic House Museum is a historic home in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States that has been converted into a museum. On September 30, 1882, it became the first residence in the US powered by a centrally located hydroelectric station using the Edison system.
attractions: Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Pierce Park, Hilton Appleton Paper Valley, Lutz Park, Fox Cities Exhibition Center, Jones Park, Angels Forever - Windows of Light, Appleton Cigar Co., Expert Jewelry Repair & Design, Appleton Downtown, Inc., restaurants: Sangria's Mexican Grill, Good Company, Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant, The Cozzy Corner, Pullmans At Trolley Square, Katsu-Ya of Japan, Victoria's Italian Cuisine, Skyline Comedy Club, Stone Arch Brewpub, Mai's Deli
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