OPEN FOR THE SEASON: GLENN HOUSE DIRECTOR HOPES FOR MORE LOCAL INTEREST

John Bry wants to change the way some people think of the Glenn House. Primarily, he wants more local people to visit the historic Victorian home.

"When I give tours of the house, I'm amazed at how many people who live in Cape Girardeau have never been here," said Bry, director of the house. "It's right in their back yard and they've never seen it."

The home in downtown Cape Girardeau is now open four days a week for tours and visits. And during the coming year, more family oriented, inexpensive events are planned than in previous years.

"This house is open to everyone and for everyone," said Bry, who wouldn't mind if people dropped by just to sit on the porch and drink lemonade.

He said the house has a reputation for hosting events that are "for the social elite," such as murder mystery dinners. Although those activities will still be planned, so will Sunday afternoon picnics, a Halloween fright night and a garden party. Admission for these activities will be $1 in most cases, he said.

"We want to have events that the whole family can attend and enjoy and not go broke," he said.

How about this for entertainment?

April 25-26: The house will be open in conjunction with the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive. Tours are $1 per person. Antiques will be displayed.

May 30: The Glenn House will host "Garden Glow," an old-fashioned garden party. The first 100 children to come through the door will receive a free Bald Cypress sapling.

A string quartet will perform and visitors will be able take part in a friendly game of croquet.

July 4: A Victorian Fourth of July picnic will take place inside and outside the house. Activities include games for the kids, a barber shop quartet and brass ensemble. Folks can enjoy home-made ice cream and lemonade.

September: This month will bring a weekend of Victorian tea parties, where the English-at-heart can share a spot of tea, probably starting at 4 p.m. each day.

October 30-31: Get ready to get scared at a Halloween Fright Night. Decorated with Jack-O-Lanterns and colored lights, inside and out, the house will host an evening of story telling only for brave souls. The Victorian horror stories will include Dracula, Frankenstein and some works of Edgar Allen Poe.

"We'll also have a few surprises for these nights," Bry said.

November: Another Murder Mystery weekend is planned for November. Try to discover "who done it" while enjoying a Victorian feast from Mollie's restaurant.

The Glenn House has already opened for tours. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Large groups should call 334-1177 for reservations.

The home, at 325 South Spanish, was purchased in 1968. Ten years later its restoration was complete. Bry said the house was meant to be enjoyed.

"I think people will enjoy the Fourth of July and Halloween," he said. "But I also hope these events draw more people to the house.

"I'm putting some wicker furniture out on the front porch so as it gets warmer, people can stop by, sit on the porch and look out at the river if they want to."