Hearthstone Historic House Museum

The Hearthstone is a large, beautifully restored Queen Anne Victorian Style home built in 1882 by Henry J. Rogers, Superintendent of the Appleton Paper and Pulp Mill. On September 30, 1882, Hearthstone was the first house in the world to be lit by an Edison central hydroelectric power station. The house retains many unique, genuine features, including the original Thomas Edison electroliers and light switches. Appleton was one of the first three cities in the world to be lit by an Edison central power station, the other two being New York and London. This was all due to Mr. Rogers, who decided to invest in Edison’s power station in order to light two paper mills and his home. Since it became a museum in 1987, Hearthstone’s focus is to preserve the house and its artifacts to re-create a historical experience based on its Thomas A. Edison heritage for the cultural enjoyment and educational benefit of the public through its many exhibits and programs.