The 2026 Historic Elsah Museum Competition and Exhibit is excited to announce the following Photographers have had photographs accepted into Elsah’s 2026 Photography Exhibit.
Discover this year’s photography exhibit participants, and find all the event details here.
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
