The Hearthstone Historic House Museum, located in Appleton, Wisconsin, is a significant historical landmark recognized as the first private residence in the world to be illuminated by hydroelectricity from a central Edison system. This beautifully restored Victorian mansion, built in 1882, showcases Queen Anne architectural style and offers a glimpse into the dawn of domestic electricity and the Gilded Age. The museum preserves original features such as Edison light fixtures, switches, wiring, intricate woodwork, and stained glass windows. Its mission is to preserve and interpret the intersection of technology, history, art, and geography, making it tangible and relevant to the public. The museum offers guided tours year-round, highlighting the house's technological, historic, and artistic significance, as well as special seasonal exhibits and events. It also features an "Hydro Adventure Center" with a hands-on model of an early hydroelectric station. Operated by the non-profit Friends of Hearthstone, Inc., the museum relies heavily on dedicated volunteers to care for and interpret its historical and artistic contents.
