Hearthstone Historic House Museum

Hearthstone Historic House Museum is a valuable historic and educational destination for groups interested in the development of electricity, local history, architecture, the Victorian Era, and related topics.  Groups of K-12 and higher education students, scouts, clubs and organizations, and seniors are welcome. Discounted tour rates are available for most groups of 10 or more people. 

Group tours are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays only and by appointment.  Tours at other times may be accommodated but only at the discretion of the Executive Director.

To ensure smooth tour operations, group tours must be scheduled and paid for in advance by clicking the appropriate button below.  This permits us to have sufficient staff of volunteer docents on hand to give every visitor the best possible Hearthstone experience.

Tours last 60-75 minutes or more depending on the grade bands and questions asked of the docents.  However, please allow for 90 minutes total elapsed time at Hearthstone for groups of 15 or more in size. This additional time allows us to organize your tour into groups (and for donning shoe coverings to protect our beautiful carpets, etc.).

Also please note the following:

• Unfortunately, we cannot give refunds for missing group tour participants. All sales are final.

• Because of the historic nature of Hearthstone, stairs are the only means of access to the second floor. Please note there are 26 steps and this may take some guests a bit longer to climb and descend. Please allow for additional time if needed.

• The first floor and lower level are wheel chair accessible via an outside electric lift. Unfortunately, the lift only accommodates one guest at a time. Again, please allow for additional time if needed.

• Guests who feel that they cannot safely climb to the second floor are welcome to sit in comfortable chairs on the first floor and use tablets containing narrated videos of each of the second-floor rooms. This permits all of our guests to receive an overview of the rooms.

Please scroll below for information on various grade and age level tours.  Click on the button provided to schedule your tour.  Once you have a confirmation code for your tour form Hearthstone staff, please return to this page to purchase your tour tickets using the button at the very bottom of the page.

Primary
School tours

For groups of elementary school students, grades K though 8, a minimum of 10 students is needed for a group tour.  Elementary school tours also allow for more time for hands on learning in our history and electricity interactive displays.  Also please note:

• The tour for Grades K-3 is “The Basics of Electricity and the Beginnings of Appleton History.” (Tour outline is available here.)

• The tour for Grades 4-6 is “Hydroelectricity and the Other Inventions of Hearthstone.” (Tour outline is available here.)

• Tours are given by our Executive Director or Museum Educator.

• The admission rate is $4 for each student in the group.

• One adult will be admitted free for each 10 students who will serve as a chaperone for the students during the tour.

• Other adults accompanying the group will be charged a rate of $6.

• Bus drivers for the group also will be admitted free.

• Unfortunately, we cannot honor any other discounts or coupons in addition to the group rate.

For information on virtual tours for elementary school students, please see our virtual tour page.

Adult
Club or Senior Tours

For groups of adults, a minimum of 10 people is needed for a group tour.  Also please note: 

• The admission rate will be $8 for each person in the group.

• One tour leader will be admitted free.

• Any bus driver with the group will be admitted free.

• Unfortunately, we cannot honor any other discounts or coupons in addition to the group rate.

• When requested in advance, Hearthstone will tailor the tour for any specific topic related to the group’s interest including Edison, electricity, history, architecture, etc.