Enjoy the holidays at Springfield historic sites
Sites celebrate with Santa, luminaria, special decorations and unique wreaths
 

[December 04, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – Historic sites like the Old State Capitol and the Dana-Thomas House are going all out for the holiday season. State sites in Springfield will welcome Santa, show off Christmas wreaths from across Illinois, put up gorgeous decorations and more.

A special display of wreaths has already opened at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. The wreaths represent the great historic sites and museums from the Abraham Lincoln Heritage Area. For instance, the wreath for Bryant Cottage State Historic Site, with its connection to the Lincoln-Douglas debates, includes medallions of both men, postage stamps and a wood cutout of the state.

The public can view the wreath display, which was organized in conjunction with Looking for Lincoln, Wednesday through Sunday until January 10.

Santa will visit the Old State Capitol on Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the downtown Holiday Walks and every Saturday before Christmas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Dana House will also be open for evening tours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the Holiday Walks.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Oak Ridge Cemetery will be the site of special remembrance ceremony Dec. 5. The names of troops listed as prisoner of war or missing in action will be read, and family and friends will hang heart-shaped ornaments on a nearby tree. Each ornament will bear the name of lost loved ones. The general public can also participate by bringing a weather-proof ornament to hang.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #534 will provide the color guard for the event, which begins at 1 p.m. The ceremony also includes Christmas music courtesy of the Lincoln Barbershop Chorus.

Three state historic sites will join forces with local and federal sites for a special “Historic Christmas” event Dec. 12, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This award-winning event, now in its fifth year, allows visitors to step back in time and admire beautiful decorations at multiple historic buildings. The Old State Capitol, Dana-Thomas House and Vachel Lindsay Home are taking part, along with other sites such as the Abraham Lincoln Home and the Executive Mansion.

Highlights include meeting Santa and Ulysses S. Grant at the Old State Capitol, hearing music and poetry at the Vachel Lindsay Home and enjoying popcorn and cider at the Dana-Thomas House.

The Dana-Thomas House is decorated with six trees, seven wreaths and over 50 floral designs and displays, all specifically crafted for the 2015 holiday season by the Civic Garden Club. On Dec. 20, hundreds of glowing luminaria will add to the festive scene.

Visitors can enjoy the beautiful luminaria outside and then take a night-time tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

[Shanta Thoele, Communications and Public Affairs, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]