Splendor of Christmas Past Holiday Home Tour

picture2Begin your holiday season with the Peoria Historical Society’s annual historic home tour.  There are five  beautifully decorated homes on the tour this year.

The historic home, the John C. Flanagan House Museum, will feature a 1940’s holiday.  WW II soldiers will greet visitors on the lawn.  Inside, there will be 40’s big band holiday music and costumed interpreters sharing anecdotes about the holiday and about Flanagan House.

Our other historic home, the Pettengill-Morron House Museum — will portray a French Christmas.  Miss Morron herself will greet visitors in the library to share her love of France. Learn what is on a French holiday dinner menu and see a beautiful Buche de Noel dessert.  Souvenirs from Miss Morron’s numerous visits to France will be highlighted, as well as her extensive collection of Louis Vuitton luggage. A gift shop will offer beautiful vintage items for sale.

Three private residences will be exquisitely decorated and open for viewing.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity to tour these beautiful homes and learn about their unique history and architectural significance. The five homes were built within an 85 year time period, beginning in 1837 and ending in 1922.   All of the homes have many original features, including leaded windows, beautiful woodwork, fireplaces and built in bookcases.

The homes will be open Saturday, December 3 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale November 1st.  Adult tickets are $15.00 each until December 1st and $20.00 after. Tickets may also be purchased at the door of any of the homes.   Children 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

To purchase tickets, please contact the PHS office at (309) 674-1921.   Tickets may also be purchased at Exhibit A Gallery, Relics, Urban Artifacts, and Gregg Florist. Check the PHS website for additional information:  www.PeoriaHistoricalSociety.org.

We would also like to thank the many, many volunteers who make this tour possible, and our sponsors — Good Earth Landscaping, Wheels O’ Time Museum, Methodist Service League,  Team Oyler Realtors/Brokers of Keller Williams Premier Realty, and K & S RV Consulting — for each sponsoring a home.

This tour would not be possible without the willingness of the following homeowners to share their magnificent homes with the community.