Annual Home for the Holidays
Elsah, Illinois

Saturday December 1, 2007
Many activities free to the public

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides O Gourmet Holiday Dinner
Tree Lighting & Caroling O Special Appearance by Santa
Elsah Museum Open House O Old Fashioned Bake Sale
House Tour Tickets are $15 a person

In 1853 James Semple founded the village of Elsah and offered free lots to anyone who built houses with stone from his quarry. Although Elsah has been described as the "New England of the Midwest," the village is not a New England prototype derived from 18th century colonial styles but rather Elsah’s architecture demonstrates 19th century styles and fashions. Every December, the village of Elsah invites you to visit their community to celebrate the holidays in this quaint and picturesque community.

December 1st, 2007 will surely reveal the enchantment of this historic village. The streets will be filled with visitors and carolers hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Some may choose to ride the horse drawn carriage through the streets of Elsah while others choose to stroll from house to house. A House Tour will be conducted from 3 pm to 5:45 pm. At 6 pm join the villagers at the riverfront for a candlelight-caroling walk to the Methodist Church for the annual lighting of the village Christmas tree at 6:30 pm. Elsah's Holiday Shoppe will be open from 1 pm to 5:45 pm with vintage Christmas decorations, Village Christmas cards, candies, baked goods and kettle korn.

Holiday Home Tour
Tickets for the Home Tour are $15 and may be purchased at My Just Desserts in either Elsah or at their Alton location, or at the following Elsah Bed & Breakfasts: The Corner Nest Bed & Breakfast, the Maple Leaf Cottage Inn, and the Green Tree Inn,  or at the Alton Visitors Center, 200 Piasa Street. Tickets may also be purchased at the Village of Elsah Museum, 26 LaSalle Street, after 1 pm on December 1st.

Annual Pheasant Dinner
Saturday, December 1, 2007
7 pm
Dinner will be served family style by candle light at Farley’s Music Hall
Live music will be provided.
Reservation Tickets are required
Tickets can be purchased at My Just Desserts locations in Elsah or Alton

The Bed & Breakfasts of Elsah: The Corner Nest Bed & Breakfast, the Maple Leaf Cottage Inn, and the Green Tree Inn and the  invite you to stop in, get warm, and have some goodies and Christmas cheer.

Village of Elsah Museum
The Elsah museum will open its doors for this special event. Stop in and admire the Christmas decor and take in some of the history of Elsah. Visitors to the museum will find exhibits covering the varied architectural styles found throughout the town, Principia College, nearby New Piasa Chautauqua, as well as tools and other implements used by past residents.

Come join us on this special day and start your Holiday season!

elsahevents.com is sponsored in part by the following:

For more information on this and related topics
the following links have been provided:

www.elsah.org  
The entire town is designated a historic district and the town of Elsah has put together a virtual tour for interested readers.