GLENN HOUSE HOLIDAY TOUR WILL REFLECT ETHNIC THEME

Ethnic influences in Cape Girardeau history have been tapped for holiday decor at the Glenn House.

The historic home at 325 S. Spanish opens for the holiday season Friday. Hours will be 1-4 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 1.

Jon Colburn, associate executive director of the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau, said a transformation is planned for the old house over the next few days.

Group tours of the Victorian-era house can be arranged and are encouraged, said Colburn.

"We took our theme from the city's bicentennial celebration this year," said Colburn. "We are taking a look at the different ethnic influences in the area."

For example, the front parlor, the home's most formal room, has been decorated in a French theme by members of the historical association. Junior Girl Scouts from Alma Schrader Elementary School Monday hung Christmas decorations they made on a flocked, white tree in the room.

Across the hall in the library, the Spanish Club at Southeast Missouri State University is decorating in a Latin American theme.

"It was very difficult to come up with a true Spanish influence, so we went with Latin American," Colburn said.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is being decorated in an African-American theme with lots of peacock feathers and flowers. Mannequins will be dressed in formal African-American garb. Creative arrangements will be provided by Elma Staten, who also owns Wickfield's Restaurant. Richard Slinkard is coordinating decorations in this room.

The dining room will be decorated by association members to reflect a German heritage.

Holiday decorations will be included throughout the rest of the home. Decorations of the home's stairway are being done by Francine's Flower and Garden Shop; the entrance way by Toni's Flower House.

Association members are decorating the parlor and dining room.

Colburn added that the popular Glenn House clothing collection is being reworked into the holiday display.

The Glenn House is open throughout the year for tours, but the annual Christmas display has become something of a city tradition.

The Glenn House was built in 1883 as a wedding gift for Lula Deane Glenn and her husband David Glenn. While the house bears the Glenn name, none of the furnishings actually belonged to the Glenns.

When the historical association restored the house, it was decorated and furnished with items that would have been appropriate to the time period.

The two-story house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.