The home of famed poet Vachel Lindsay is hosting a Christmas open house featuring holiday performances, beautiful decorations and refreshments on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The event at the Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth Street in Springfield, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
Kevin Purcell will perform Dylan Thomas’ whimsical story of his youth, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” at 2 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal songs performed by Virginia Hosking on the home’s piano and refreshments of spiced tea, Christmas cookies and other treats.
The home will be decorated for the holidays in the simple style of the Lindsay family, circa 1917. Holly wreaths will hang at the windows, and holly sprigs will adorn the drapes. Wrapped presents will be stacked on the parlor and library chairs. The parlor Christmas tree will be decorated with glass and handmade ornaments and paper flowers.
Visitors receive candy canes and souvenir copies of Lindsay’s Christmas poetry.
The home was built about 1850. Poet, author and artist Nicholas Vachel Lindsay was born there in 1879 and died there in 1931. The home, operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free public tours.
