Welcome to the Hearthstone Foundation in Branford, Connecticut
Local History, Farming, Architecture, Preservation
About Us
How the Hearthstone Foundation Came to Be
Hearthstone is a colonial home that dates from 1685. Many have assumed from its exterior appearance that it was built in the mid eighteenth century, but subtle construction details plus town records link the property to the Frisbie family from the late seventeenth century. It was lived in by Frisbies until 1857 when it was purchased by the Honce family, then in the 1920s Samuel Griswold a local entrepreneur and money lender foreclosed on Albert Honce and Hearthstone became the Samuel Griswold Antiques Gallery. Griswold leased it to Agnes Yerxa in the 1930s and its fame grew as the Hearthstone Restaurant serving "Lobsters Any Style." After World War II, it lay vacant. On December 15, 1945, John and Peggy Riesman happened upon it, fell in love with it, purchased it on the spot and undertook a major restoration. Their daughter Janet and her partner Sean Saslo have decided to create the Hearthstone Foundation and to donate the house and property to it to create a center for the study of domestic history, architecture and farming. The house sits on roughly 40 acres part farmland and part woodland and the extent of the property has been virtually unchanged since the 17th century. The Hearthstone Foundation aims to preserve the property and share it with others in a learning process that knows no bounds. The photos on the left were part of the home's illustration from Connecticut tour guide from the 1950s.
Our History
After percolating for many years, the idea of the Hearthstone Foundation came to reality in the April of 2024. The Foundation received its formal incorporation as a Connecticut entity. Five directors were chosen. Janet Riesman is President and Secretary, Sean Saslo is Vice-President, Thomas Shernow is Treasurer, and Bruce Bennett and Wiktor Wozniak are additional directors.
Get Involved
On September 1, 2024, The Hearthstone Foundation received approval as a 501(c)3 private foundation for charitable purposes. This means that any donations made to the foundation are tax deductible. Eventually we will streamline the process of making donations by sending out requests and thank yous and keeping a list of "Founding Donors." We intend to plan various symposia, meetings and exhibits for you to enjoy. We will be publishing a summary of upcoming events to be shared with our supporters and other interested parties.
Preserve and Protect the Past for the Future
Welcome
The Hearthstone Foundation is a center devoted to public education on all levels concerning local history, domestic architecture, the history and nature of local farming, in sum, the story of Branford from the earliest settlements until the present.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
