DeKALB – The J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center will host its “Holiday at the Homestead” open house this season, adorning the historic home with holiday activities.

The center, located on 921 W Lincoln Highway, will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 11. The event will feature live music, Christmas cookies, a craft station and a blacksmith’s live demonstration.

The open house will be located on the second floor of the home, only accessible by a flight of stairs.

Admission is $5 per person, but is free for members and children 14 years and younger. All proceeds from the event support the historical center.

Live music will start at 2 p.m., featuring a string quartet and harpist from DeKalb High School’s Music Boosters. The craft station will provide children with holiday arts, crafts and Christmas cookies.

Patrons can also expect the open house’s blacksmith to create hand-forged items during the live demonstration, like metal candy canes and bottle openers.

Founded in 1995, the J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center began work preserving the home of Joseph Farwell Glidden, inventor of the most widely used type of barbed wire.

For further information, contact the Glidden Homestead at 815-756-7904 or [email protected].