Aurora's Tanner House hosts holiday open house on Sundays in December

The Tanner House Museum, decorated for the holidays, will be open for walk-through tours on the Sundays of December. The museum has not been open since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We have had to be cautious at the Tanner House," said John Jaros, executive director of the Aurora Historical Society which owns and operates the museum. "Indoors the spaces are very tight, and the rooms are filled with a lot of furniture which makes social distancing a challenge. But people love this house and they especially love the holiday décor. We felt that we could share the beauty again, if we took sensible health precautions."

The holiday open houses will be organized as a one-way walk-through and there will not be commentary by docents.

In addition, only the first floor will be shown, since the narrow stairway to the second floor requires physical proximity and two-way traffic.

The holiday open house will be noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26, at 304 Oak Ave. in the historic Tanner District.

All visitors, including children, must wear masks at all times in the house.

Admission is free, although donations are greatly appreciated.

Reservations will not be required, but guests are advised to dress for the weather since it may be necessary to wait briefly on the front porch if attendance warrants.

The Tanner House Museum pantry will be fitted out as a gift shop featuring the society's signature product, the Vintage Aurora Calendar, as well as new offerings like embroidered chef aprons, infant onesies and laser-cut slate items.

To view videos of the house, or to shop online, go to www.aurorahistory.net.