Murder at the Mansion

Select Friday and Saturday nights starting February 20

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Hearthstone’s favorite premier event is back and more mysterious than ever! Test your sleuthing skills as you join other guests - all in character and in costume - to solve a murder that happens almost right before your very eyes. It is an Agatha Christie novel come to life in the sumptuous surroundings of Hearthstone’s beautiful Victorian interiors (what could be more Agatha Christie than that).

This year’s mystery will take you back to 1920s Chicago, a world where Hearthstone is a speakeasy, one dominated by rival northside and southside gangs. You will play bootleggers, their molls, and a variety of hangers-on from silent film stars to baseball heroes, all with axes to grind. This year’s plot will keep you guessing with plenty of twists and turns.

The night features heavy hors d'oeuvres and wine and soft drinks served by the museum’s volunteers dressed as maids and butlers while guests interact (in character, of course) to figure out who had motive and opportunity to do the dastardly deed. It is a night dedicated to mayhem, murder, and fun!

Please note the following:

• Tickets are limited and sell out quickly. Additional evenings may be scheduled as prior events sell out.

• Please have all of your party’s email addresses ready when purchasing tickets. This is the only way for everyone to receive their character information.

• Unfortunately, because of the nature of the event, there can be NO REFUNDS for tickets. Guests who are unable to attend are responsible for finding a replacement to play their role and use their ticket. This is required as all characters are essential for the mystery to be played.

• Guests must make museum staff aware of any food allergies at least two weeks prior to the date of the event. Every effort will be made to comply with guest requirements but the caterer cannot guarantee allergen-free ingredients.

• This is 21 year old and older event.

• Murder at the Grand Gatsby Speakeasy is a MyMysteryParty.com game

Homeschool Days Event

DIY Victorian Valentine’s Day Cards

February 6th, 2026 9:00-10:30 Elementary students (ages 6-11)

February 13th, 2026 9:00-10:30 Middle & High school students (ages 12-17)

Much like everything else during the Victorian time period, Valentine’s Day cards were over-the-top in every way. Although Valentine’s Day traditions had been around for centuries, sending cards and commercializing the holiday became popular in the Victorian period.

Adding to this was the very Victorian notion of the “Language of Flowers.” Each type of flower represented a separate emotion or carried an idea.

Join us in making your own Victorian-style Valentine cards while learning about the history of Valentine’s Day. A tour of the museum will be included.

There is a maximum of 12 students per session. Cost for each student is $8 to cover the cost of materials. One parent per family will be included in the sign-up cost at no additional charge.

Women’s History Month Presentation

Don’t Worry Your Pretty Little Head: Patriarchy, Paternalism, and Women’s Rights in Victorian America

March 5, 6:00 pm

Considering that Wisconsin’s law banning abortion in most cases dates from 1849, a time when women were seldom free to exercise independent thought, let alone their individual rights, this topic has profound relevance today.

In this presentation, back by popular demand, Hearthstone’s Executive Director George Schroeder leads an hour long presentation and discussion on the transformation of women’s rights in 19th century America.

The presentation uses period art to reflect the societal attitudes towards women and will overview the changes in property rights, marital rights, reproduction rights, and voting rights. It will feature details in each area from the truly modern lives of Hearthstone’s builders Cremora and Florence Rogers.

The event is free and open to the public. However, because of limited seated at Hearthstone, please reserve your spot.