"An Historic Christmas" Holiday tours in Springfield this Saturday
 

[December 12, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD - Ring in the holidays at four historic houses in one fun-filled day at Springfield's fourth annual "An Historic Christmas!" This event, a part of the "History Comes Alive" program, will take place, from 1:00pm-5:00pm, on Saturday, December 13, 2014

Back by popular demand, this award-winning event allows visitors to step back in time and admire the beautiful decorations of holidays past at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Illinois Executive Mansion, Elijah Iles House, and Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site. At each home, visitors can listen to 19th century Christmas carols and visit with the Lincolns as listed below. There is no charge for admission to any of the houses, and the sites may be visited in any order.

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln
1-2pm, Iles House
2-3pm, Lindsay Home
3-4pm Illinois Executive Mansion
4-5pm, Lincoln Home

Old State Capitol Chorale singers
1-1:30pm, Lincoln Home
2-2:30pm, Iles House
3-3:30pm, Lindsay Home
4-4:30pm, Illinois Executive Mansion

This program is sponsored by the National Park Service, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Vachel Lindsay Association, Elijah Iles House Foundation, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, and the Illinois Office of Commerce and Economic Development.

Additional activities at each site are described below.

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Make 1860s holiday decorations to take home or place on the Christmas tree in the Lincoln Home Visitor Center. Visitors are encouraged to tour the Lincoln Home; free tour tickets are available at the Visitor Center information desk and tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Lincoln Home is located at 426 S. 7th Street, Springfield, IL. For more information, contact the Lincoln Home Visitor Center at 217-492-4241.

Illinois Executive Mansion

Admire the Illinois Executive Mansion's holiday décor, including Christmas trees decorated by staff and volunteers from various Illinois museums and historic sites. Staff from these sites will demonstrate crafts and talk about their holiday tree. The Illinois Executive Mansion is located at 410 E. Jackson St., Springfield, IL. For more information, contact the Illinois Executive Mansion at 217-782-6450.

Elijah Iles House

Come see the holiday decor and hear of how three families who lived in the Elijah Iles House celebrated Christmas. Christmas elves will do face painting and refreshments will be served. Also, view a Civil War exhibit to learn the story about today's Camp Butler National Cemetery. The Elijah Iles House is located at 628 South Seventh St., Springfield, IL. For more information, please email [e-mail] or leave a message at 492-5929.

Vachel Lindsey Home

Take a candle-lit tour of the Vachel Lindsay Home that will be decorated for the holidays with greenery and an old fashioned Christmas tree. Make a Christmas ornament, snack on cookies, and receive a holiday poem written by Vachel Lindsay to take home. The Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is located at 603 S. Fifth Street, Springfield IL. For more information, please contact Jennifer Caldwell at 217-524-0901.

[The Looking for Lincoln heritage Coalition]