Hearthstone Historic House Museum is nationally renowned historic site of international significance.
Hearthstone Historic House was the first private residence anywhere in the world to be illuminated using hydroelectricity from a central Edison system. It is the birthplace of green energy and of where the phrase “turn on the lights” was born. It is the only building still standing from the dawn of electricity. And yet, it is much more.
The residence still contains the original Edison electroliers, original light switches, and some of the world's only examples of original Edison wiring in situ. Hearthstone is on the National Register of Historic Places for its technological, historic, architectural, and artistic significance.
However, this beautifully restored house and museum is more...
It is excellent example of Queen Anne Victorian Style architecture, designed by a leading architect of the day, with breathtaking interiors.
It is "hard wired" into local history as its story is the story of the history of Wisconsin, of the founding of the paper industry, of the Gilded Age, of the men - and importantly - women who founded modern America, and of fortunes won and lost.
It is a look into the past but it is also a look to the future - a look featuring hydroelectricity and renewable power, individually powered homes, what it means to be a visionary, and what is truly important in life - not fortune but family.
All of this is Hearthstone Historic House Museum. Please explore to find out more.
“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.”
625 West Prospect Avenue - Appleton, Wisconsin 54911 - 920-730-8204
Thursday - Friday - Saturday
(Museum opens at 10:00 am)
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
Entry 30 minutes prior to each tour.
Sunday
(Museum opens at 1:00 pm)
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
Entry 30 minutes prior to each tour.
Hearthstone will be open on March 31.
Large Group and
School Tours
Monday - Wednesday:
10 am - 3:30 pm by appointment.
In addition, adult group and school virtual tours of the museum are available by reservation. Please reserve a time by using this form.
health and Safety Measures
As health concerns continue to ebb, Hearthstone is delighted to welcome an increasing numbers for tours. However, there is nothing more important to us than the well-being of our guests and staff. With this in mind, the museum continues to take appropriate measures to help ensure the health and safety of everyone who visits us. These measures include the following:
Sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, and tissues are available throughout the museum. We always try to be Victorian Era appropriate within the museum. However, we ask your indulgence with tissues and sanitizer because of their importance.
Evening events require special timed ticketing to maintain safes numbers and prevent overcrowding.
All of our “hands-on” displays in the lower level have tissues and hand sanitizer available for use before and after.
If you have any questions on our precautions or our schedule, please do not hesitate to contact us at 920-730-8204 or information@hearthstonemuseum.org.