Glenn House polishing

Fresh from $31,000 in renovations funded by the city of Cape Girardeau, the Glenn House is gleaming like a jewel for the holidays. Seven Christmas trees decorated with traditional Victorian-era ornaments await visitors.

Rotting wood on the porch has been replaced, the house has some new tuck-pointing and paint, and roofing repairs have been made. The house at 325 S. Spanish St. is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Erlbacher family donated the 122-year-old house to the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau 35 years ago. Since then, the organization has struggled at times to keep the house from deteriorating.

Earlier this year the city donated surplus funds from the Convention and Visitors Bureau to help with badly needed repairs. The city also repaired a sidewalk behind the house and a minor water leak in the service lines.

This is an example of public money being used to help a private organization that benefits the city. Every time a tour group comes to Cape Girardeau, the Glenn House is at the top its list of things to see.

The Glenn House is open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.