Hearths & Minds

Whatever its design, a fireplace is always the heart of a Maine home.


The association of fire with domesticity is so complete and so deep-rooted that it’s hard for us to think of home without immediately conjuring up some notion of a fireplace. Our habits of speech reflect this, with variations of home and hearth occurring often as near synonyms. A writer in the 1600s could refer to “a town of fifteen hundred fires,” while two centuries later, Thomas Carlyle used “hearthholders” to signify homeowners. Even today, it would be unsurprising (though perhaps a trifle quaint) to be invited to a hearth-warming party. [for the rest of this story, see the March 2008 issue of Down East]

 

Comments may be edited for spelling. Profanity is discouraged.

Reader Comments: 
Log In Post anonymously
Add your comment:
Create an account, or please log in if you have an account. Anonymous comments are enabled.
Email address (not displayed publicly)  Password
 
Enter your comments below:
   
Verification Question:
What is 4 + 9 ?     This is so we know you are a human and not a spam robot.



MAINE DIRECTORY!

Down East Editors' Choices
& Down East Readers' Favorites...


Add your own favorites. Click on any directory and select "Add free listings" or email favorites to online@downeast.com.

Upcoming Events

Rufus Porter Museum Cultural Heritage Series 2008
05.16.2008

The Third annual Cultural Heritage Series is scheduled for July 8 - 12, 2008 in Bridgton, Maine. The series is highlighted by a 3-day class Rufus...

Cabinet of Curiosities: The Museum, Science Collections, and You
05.16.2008

This exhibit, curated by the museum’s co-chief scientists, Paula Work and David Work, shows the many facets of the museum’s science...

Journeys West: The David and Peggy Rockefeller American Indian Art Collection
05.16.2008

This exhibition features Pueblo paintings, Navajo blankets and silverwork, embroidered Dakota leatherwork, Nez Perce weavings, basketry from...

Journeys West: The David and Peggy Rockefeller American Indian Art Collection
05.16.2008

This exhibition features Pueblo paintings, Navajo blankets and silverwork, embroidered Dakota leatherwork, Nez Perce weavings, basketry from...

Recent Acquisitions & Contemporary Works from the Permanent Collection
05.16.2008

Among the recent additions to the museum’s permanent collection are works by Joanne Baldinger, Jeffrey Becton, Bob Brooks, Rudy Burckhardt, David...

Recent Acquisitions & Contemporary Works from the Permanent Collection
05.16.2008

Among the recent additions to the museum’s permanent collection are works by Joanne Baldinger, Jeffrey Becton, Bob Brooks, Rudy Burckhardt, David...

Progressive Gourmet Dinner
05.16.2008

Weekend inclueds tours of three historic Freeport B&B's and the entree catered by the Azure Cafe'.

Taking Different Trails: The Artists’ Journey to Katahdin Lake.
05.16.2008

This exhibition features the work of twenty contemporary artists and their views of and from Katahdin Lake in Township 3, Range 8. All of the...

Show all events »