In this special tour, the Rolfs will chronicle the development of the phonograph, from the earliest Tinfoil Phonograph to the affordable entertainment product that millions could enjoy. Guests will also share in the excitement of those first recordings by making an Edison wax cylinder recording of their voices.

The tour will feature original Edison phonographs with beautiful, flowered horns playing the works of Eben Rexford who is best remembered for penning the lyrics to Silver Threads Among the Gold. Written in 1872, the song was not only among the first to be recorded acoustically, but it is also one of the most recorded songs in music history.

At the same time, Hearthstone will be premiering its new Victorian landscape design for the museum’s grounds based on Rexford’s design precepts.