Iles House holiday events December 6, 9 and 16

[December 04, 2017] 

SPRINGFIELD

Visitors are invited to see Springfield's oldest surviving house in a different light during the annual holiday events scheduled for the Elijah Iles House on December 6, 9 and 16.

Iles House Candlelight Tours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6 and again on Saturday, December 16. The historic home will be illuminated by candlelight and decorated for Christmas in a variety of 19th century styles to show how American Christmas practices and traditions evolved during the 1800s. Hot cinnamon spiced apple cider and cookies will be available on the home's lower level. There is plenty of free parking in the Iles House lot just south of Cook Street. The Candlelight Tours are free, but donations are appreciated.

The Iles House Historic Christmas will be held Saturday, December 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. The event will feature seasonal fun for all ages with tours of the home decorated for the 1800s Christmas holidays. Father Christmas will visit and cookie decorating and face painting will be offered by Santa's elves. An old-fashioned one horse sleigh, courtesy of Nancy Chapin, will be available in the yard for those would would like to have a family photo taken. Visitors may enjoy a cup of hot spiced cider and cookies. The Historic Christmas is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome.

The circa 1837 Elijah Iles House at 628 South Seventh Street is the oldest surviving house in Springfield and is open Wednesday and Saturday from April through October for public tours. It hosts many programs and events for the public, and may also be rented for special events. The house's historic main level is furnished as would have been typical in 1840s Springfield. The lower level houses the Farrell and Ann Gay Museum of Springfield History. Because of the house's impressive architecture and rich history, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Two of Springfield's most famous citizens, Abraham Lincoln and poet Nicholas Vachel Lindsay, are known to have visited the house.

For more information about the Elijah Iles House, visit www.ileshouse.org or call [phone].

[Richard Hart]