Photos of Families in the Sitting Room - Albert and Aimee Priest

Albert and Aimee Priest

The second owners of Hearthstone were Albert and Aimee Priest.  They owned the residence from 1900-1930.  Albert was a paper baron known for having the first automobile in town.  Aimee was described as refined, educated, gentle, and giving.

In 1911, Albert donated to the city of Appleton the monument that still stands in Soldier’s Square in honor of his brother who died during the Civil War.  He also donated the land for Memorial Drive on the west side of the residence, as well as the land for Memorial Bridge, which was completed in 1925.

Though they did not have children, Albert and Aimee each had a niece named Aimee.  The Priests tried to leave Hearthstone in trust for their two nieces but the will languished in probate for nine years.  The trustees had to do something with the house to produce enough money to pay for its upkeep.  They rented out the residence to a couple who ran a tearoom, a small restaurant, on the first floor.  It is because of the tearoom that the residence became known as Hearthstone.