Durant House to celebrate lore of Christmases past

Nineteenth century-style holiday cheer will prevail at the 1843 Durant House Museum on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14. Celebrate the season and make-merry while discovering the heartwarming local history at festive open houses from 2 to 6 p.m.

At the Durant House, costumed docents will welcome guests into the enchanting, candlelit prairie homestead. Fragrant evergreens, a roaring fire on the hearth, and an old-fashioned Christmas tree will recreate the spirit of Christmases past.

Refreshments of hot cider and cookies will be served, along with ginger cakes from an authentic 1840 Illinois recipe. Traditional Christmas music in the parlor will provide the backdrop for this annual celebration. Holiday stories and poetry will be read throughout the afternoon. In the Victorian-era kitchen, the decorations directly reflect the Northern European heritage of the former inhabitants, Godfrey and Christina Peterson.

For more festivities, visit the Pioneer Sholes School festooned in its finest, turn-of-the-century Christmas fittings.

Both historic sites are located in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, on Dean Street west of Randall Road in St. Charles. The living history programs at the Durant House are sponsored by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, with support from the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Admission for the event is free, but donations are welcome. For information, call (630) 377-6424 or visit ppfv.org.