In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Lisa Malawski talks with Robin and Joan

Rolfs about their book Hearthstone: America’s Electrical National Treasure.

Joan and Rob have been enthralled with Hearthstone since the 1970’s when they

moved to the Fox Cities. Joan developed a successful Interior Design program at Fox

Valley Technical College in 1971.

In 1986, Joan was contacted by a member of The Friends of Hearthstone Board and

invited to become involved with the restoration of Hearthstone. Rob was also invited

because of his background in electronics and electricity. Realizing the Edison

connection and the historical importance of the house, the Rolfs accepted.

In 1990, they were given the task to develop the Hydro-Adventure Exhibit in the lower

level of Hearthstone. The exhibit increased public awareness of the role of electricity in

daily lives and the transformation which occurred in society as a result of Thomas A.

Edison’s inventions and Henry Roger’s vision for implementation.

Hearthstone contains all the original architecture and electrical light fixtures from when

the home was built in 1882. The Rolfs worked with the Edison National Historical Park

in Orange, NJ and one day during their visit met Chad Shapiro, a collector and historian

of early lighting. He shared his knowledge and provided the Rolfs with copies of original

Bergmann lighting catalogs from 1882-1884.

Approximately thirty years later, as the Rolfs researched the hanging light fixtures

(electroliers) and wall sconces, they concluded the majority of these light fixtures were

the original Sigmund Bergmann fixtures dating to 1882. The significance of these

fixtures is they are the earliest surviving examples of Bermann electroliers and sconces

in the world! This inspired the Rolfs to write Hearthstone: America’s Electrical National

Treasure.

In this episode, Lisa discusses the Rolfs passions for all things Thomas Edison, their

volunteerism at Hearthstone, antique phonographs, records, writing and their shared

love for research.