Historic homes in the region to open their doors for holiday tours

Touring historic homes puts some people in the mood for the holidays, and the chance to take such tours is nearby. People will soon have the opportunity to tour such home in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Cairo, Ill.

Cape Girardeau

The Glenn House, an 1883 Victorian mansion at 325 S. Spanish St., not only has a view of the river in its favor but offers a Dec. 15 candlelight tour, New Year's Day tour and refreshments on weekends and during the candlelight tour. The Glenn House's 2007 Christmas decorations will make their debut from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and thereafter will be available Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 1 to 15.

Two time slots, 1 to 4 p.m. for the regular tour and 5 to 7 p.m. for the candlelight tour Dec. 15, add possibilities for visits to the Glenn House before or after holiday shopping.

Tours continue from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 16 until Dec. 30. No tours will be available on New Year's Eve. There will be a tour from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 1.

Magnolia Manor, 2700 Washington Ave., Cairo will be open for luncheons and holiday tours.

Jackson

The Oliver House, a two-story brick house at 224 E. Adams St., is constructed of handmade bricks and was built around 1854. The sewing kit used by Marie Oliver to design the Missouri state flag is one of the items on display for those touring the home in its holiday splendor. Open houses will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 16.

A special candlelight tour from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 coincides with the live Nativity event at Emanuel United Church of Christ, which is next door.

Cairo, Ill.

In Cairo, Ill., two mansions open their doors and offer the chance to create memories of dining in a setting of days gone by as a means to help with upkeep. Christmas finery will be offered at a series of luncheons and tours at the Riverlore and Magnolia mansions, both on Washington Avenue.

The Glenn House at 325 S. Spanish St. will offer candlelight and even New Year's Day tours, suitable for the nostalgic and visitors who just don't want the season to end. (Southeast Missourian file)

The Riverlore Mansion, at 2723 Washington Ave., has planned luncheons that will be prepared by the Cairo Public Library board of trustees daily for those wishing to get into the holiday spirit. Paid reservations made prior to the scheduled dates will enable maintenance and restoration of the 1865 home. Limited seating is available. Luncheons will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday; tours will follow the luncheons. Call 618-734-1840 for reservations.

Across the street, the Magnolia Mansion, 2700 Washington Ave., will hold luncheons and tours for the upkeep of the 14-room, Italianate-style structure built in 1869. The home contains the original bed Gen. Ulysses S. Grant slept in back in 1880. Still equipped with many original 19th-century furnishings, this double-walled, five-story home will have regular holiday tours from 1 to 4 p.m. today through Dec. 2. Annual holiday luncheons are from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday, and will help with the upkeep of this historical home. The requested donation will cover the cost of a meal and a tour of the home; call 618-734-0201 for reservations.

Decorations on display at the manor and available for purchase are created by Cairo native Kris Bagbey, now of Franklin, Tenn. The proceeds will benefit the manor's upkeep.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 131

The Glenn House, located at 325R S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, offers a candlelight and even New Year's Day tour, suitable for the nostalgic and visitors who just don't want the season to end. (Fred Lynch)