Historic Elsah Foundation

Take a step back in time this holiday season while strolling the historic streets of Elsah, Illinois, often called the town that time forgot, during Elsah’s annual Home for the Holidays House Tour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, December 6. For more than 50 years, Historic Elsah Foundation has offered visitors an opportunity to explore inside historic homes and buildings in the village.

Many historic buildings will be open for the event, including select private homes, the two room school house, Farley Music Hall, the Elsah Museum, the bed and breakfast inns, churches and villages shops. Tickets for the annual Holiday House Tour are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the tour. Ticket prices include a tour booklet with a photo and description of each building, musical performances, and a self-guided walk through the historic village.

Proceeds from the tour benefit the Historic Elsah Foundation, a not-for-profit  organization, dedicated to historic preservation and education in the Village of Elsah.

Dr. Erik Alexander, History Professor at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, presented “The 1858 Lincoln Douglas Debates in Alton” on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 7 p.m., at Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, Elsah, Illinois. Dr. Alexander specializes in United States history during the 19th century, particularly party politics leading to the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Dr. Alexander is completing his book entitled, Revolution Forestalled: Northern Democrats and the Politics of Reconstruction, 1865–1877.

Here is a recording of this talk.

This presentation was one of this year’s Hosmer-Williams Lectures sponsored by Historic Elsah Foundation and underwritten by Liberty Bank: A United Community Bank.

Historic Elsah Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to historic preservation and education in the Village of Elsah.

Jeff Ruyle, Elsah resident, presented, “Towboat Stories on the Mississippi,” on Thursday, September 25, at 7 p.m. at Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, in Elsah. Jeff shared stories from his own experience as a deckhand for 20 years on the Mississippi River. Below is a recording of the presentation.

This presentation was one of this year’s Hosmer-Williams Lectures sponsored by Historic Elsah Foundation and underwritten by Liberty Bank: A United Community Bank.

Themes and Dates for 2026 have been announced!

“It’s the Little Things”

Portraits – People, Pets or Porches!

Find details including dates and registration cost here.  

Featured image: Dan Kistler, Leaf Bundle, Best of Show, 2025

April 5, 3-4pm – 26 Lasalle St, Elsah, 62028

There were fifty-one entries in all, which arrived by the Jan 9th deadline! Twenty-seven images were accepted into the Museum Exhibit that opens April 5, with twelve photographers represented. Nine awards have been selected by Carmen Troesser, photographer and our Juror, out of Chicago. These awards range from Best of Show through 3rd Place and four Honorable Mentions, as well as a Youth Award – monetary awards accompany assigned honors.

Each image adheres to one of two themes in 2025: The Majesty of Trees, and Elsah Still Life. Exhibitors include: Joan Baker, Matt Kelly, Dan Kistler, Lauren Lloyd, Michael Matney, Marty McKay, Elise Marvin, Mary Odhiambo, Sam Odhiambo, Rosa Renner, Carolyn Schlueter, and Jeffrey Vaughn.

We hope everyone will come see these treasures of Elsah, either opening day, or any Saturday or Sunday, 1-4 pm, through June 28, the end of the exhibit.

Visit 2025 Historic Elsah Photo Exhibit page.

Featured image: Snow Trees, 2025, by Jeffrey Vaughn.