On Saturday Oct. 28, at 3 p.m., the Hearse House Museum in Chester will open to the public.
Attendees will have a chance to see Chester's handsome, horse-drawn hearse, its historic “house” that was saved from demolition and recently rehabilitated, and the new mini museum created inside that building, which features information about the hearse, the nearby Public Tomb, Brookside Cemetery, funeral customs of the times, and the renovation project itself.
While there are a couple of hearse houses in Vermont, no other has been renovated and enhanced to present a museum dedicated solely to one hearse, its use, and mourning customs, according to a news release. Chester's new mini museum is unique and will be an educational and historic attraction for both local residents and visitors to town during good weather.
The opening celebration will take place at the white, clapboarded Hearse House, located at the entrance to Brookside Cemetery across from the Chester Village Green. Visitors will be able to view the museum, as well as the interior of the adjacent Public Tomb built circa 1850.
Mulled cider, cookies, and cheese and crackers will be served for the celebration of this almost three-year project initiated and managed by Chester Townscape, with the support of the Chester Selectboard, municipal staffers, and many residents and businesses.
Chester Townscape is a committee of Chester Community Alliance, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. It is known for its seasonal beautification projects - such as the coordinated summer flower pots at public and private places around town, the spring daffodil plantings near the Brookside Cemetery, and Christmas wreaths and decorations at various public buildings during the winter months.
The organization undertook renovation of the Hearse House and creation of the museum as a major project to improve an obvious landmark that is part of Chester's history.
Built circa 1830, the newly restored, unheated Hearse House will necessarily be a seasonal attraction. Its displays are arranged to allow for additional pictures and information that are expected to surface once the building is open to the public.
Those with additional information are urged to contact Suzy Forlie at 802-875-3634 or Lillian Willis at 802-875-1340.