The historic sites, museums and privately owned homes of the organization Historic St. Louis will present a splendid grand tour, “A Spirited Holiday Past,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
Three South County attractions are opening their doors for the event:
• Affton’s Oakland House, 7801 Genesta
• Sappington House, 1015 Sappington Road
• U.S. Grant National Historic Site (White Haven), 7400 Grant Road.
Affton’s Oakland House will host its annual Santa House this year on the main floor, as well as docent tours of the property.
Before Christmas trees were a tradition, simple boughs of greenery decorated Historic Sappington House, which opens a window to the past to look back to the early 1800s through a whimsical, yet historical skit, featuring costumed Sappington cousins enjoying the joyous season. Find the yesteryear “story connections” that relate to other historic sites.
Dance Discovery will perform a Regency-era dance from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Master Cook Mercedes Bilow will demonstrate how to make gingerbread cookies from 2 to 4 p.m. Cookies and recipes will be offered for sale and holiday treats will be served.
At the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, President Grant’s home, White Haven, will be decorated for the holiday season. Tour the home and create a holiday craft with your family. Living history presentations and live holiday music performances will be offered throughout the day. Sample Grant’s gingerbread and attend 19th-century baking demonstrations in the historic stone kitchen. All activities are free and no reservations are required.
Create a new holiday tradition of your own as you enjoy a new tour each year. Some sites are free and some are charging a minimal fee. Visit the website historicsaintlouis.org to see the list of addresses for all 20 venues, price of admission for each venue and tour suggestions.
Sites elsewhere:
• Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum
• Campbell House Museum
• Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion
• Field House Museum
• Gittemeier House in Florissant
• Hawken House Museum in Webster Groves
• Historic Daniel Boone House in Defiance
• Overland Log House in Overland
• Mudd’s Grove in Kirkwood
• Myers House and Barn in Florissant
• Sutter-Meyer Farmhouse in University City
• Taille de Noyer House, Florissant Valley Historical Society
• Tappmeyer Homestead in Creve Coeur,
• The Centre for French Colonial Life in Ste. Genevieve
• Willoughby Heritage Farm in Collinsville, Illinois.
