DeKALB – From Wednesday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Dec. 18, the Ellwood House located at 420 Linden Place will be offering Christmas tours to visitors. More than a dozen rooms in the 1879 mansion will be decorated by volunteers, community organizations and local businesses. 

“We’re decorating about 20 rooms,” said Ethan Peterman, operations manager of the Ellwood House Museum. “We have designated spaces for local DeKalb groups. I know the DeKalb County Community Gardens is decorating a room. There’s also going to be an Edwardian theme room because that’s what that group decided to do.” 

Admission for tours is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 through 17. Children who are under six get free admittance. Tickets can be purchased at the Ellwood House website or in person at the Ellwood House Visitor Center. 

Free tour admission will be given to Ellwood House Museum members. Memberships can be purchased online or at the Ellwood House Visitor Center. 

Nov. 16 – Dec. 1

Guided tours will run Wednesday through Saturday and are available at either 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. Guided tours will not be offered on Thanksgiving. 

Dec. 2 – Dec. 4

During this three-day holiday weekend, self-guided tours will be available with tour guides stationed on each level of the mansion to share the house’s history. On Dec. 3 and 4, tours will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Dec. 2, tours will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dec. 7 – Dec. 18

Guided tours will start back up again and will be offered at either 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.

The Ellwood House Museum asks that people bring their tickets to the front door of the mansion at their designated tour time. Guided tours are limited to groups of ten people or fewer and self-guided tours will allow groups of 15 people or less to enter the building.

For more information, visit the Ellwood House Museum website or call 815-756-4609.