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Appleton’s Hearthstone Historic House Museum is the recipient of the 2020 Museum Exhibit Award from the Wisconsin Historical Society for its exhibit “Kitty’s Wedding: You’re Invited – The 130th Anniversary of Kitty Rogers’ Wedding.” The annual Museum Exhibit Award is given to only two organizations per year. 

“Each year, the Wisconsin Historical Society’s governing Board of Curators recognizes individuals and organizations for meritorious work in areas relating to the society’s mission,” says Tom Weiland, Hearthstone’s development director. “The Board of Curators is made up of 37 elected and appointed members from across the state. This gives the award great significance as well due to the stature of those tasked with the selection process.” 

The winning exhibition centers on the wedding of Kitty Rogers, daughter of paper mogul and Hearthstone founder Henry Rogers. The exhibit relied heavily on historical newspaper articles detailing the wedding to accurately recreate the 1889 ceremony. When the exhibit was displayed from August 15 to September 29, 2019, museum-goers could view Kitty’s wedding gifts as well as historic wedding attire. 

“Hearthstone curators and volunteers meticulously crafted decorations and what the residence looked like the day of her wedding,” says CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society Christian Overland. 

Hearthstone is nationally known for being the first house in the United States to be hydroelectrically powered using an Edison Electric System. Henry Rogers, the businessman who built Hearthstone for his family, will be inducted into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame later this year. 

Visit hearthstonemuseum.org/kittyswedding to see the virtual exhibit.