Historic homes are beautiful throughout the year and exceptionally beautiful around the holidays. The Midwest is fortunate to have several historic homes that transition from historic beauty to holiday magic. These are some of my favorite historic homes I have visited over the holidays. If you are looking for a magical holiday experience, each historic home will provide a memorable experience.
You will want to visit the websites of each of these homes to see when they are open for holiday viewing, as the times and dates change annually. It should be noted that I was on a hosted visit for some of these featured homes. Start planning your visit now, as the holiday magic is limited to the holiday season. Many of these homes have several steps. If you have mobility challenges, you can have a great experience at these homes through the windshield of your car.
Many windows showcase the indoor holiday decorations, as well as the beautiful outdoor lights. I challenge you to visit these historic homes over the holidays and throughout the year. Each experience is unique to the season and worth your time.
1. Seelye Mansion
Abilene, Kansas
The Seelye Mansion, built in 1905, offers 25 rooms, including a ballroom and bowling alley. When the holidays roll around, it’s time to plan your visit to the Seelye Mansion, as it’s all decked out for Christmas. The numerous Victorian Christmas trees and 600 nutcrackers will surely bring a smile to your face.
Continuous guided tours occur throughout the holiday season for a small fee. Plan to spend 2 hours in the mansion, as the majestic beauty will put you in the holiday spirit. If you are a fan of America’s 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, you will want to plan to spend time exploring his Presidential Museum & Library. These two wonderful historic sites are less than 2 minutes away from each other.
Pro Tip: Terry, the owner of the home, often gives tours and will let you touch items in the historic home.
2. Ruthmere
Elkhart, Indiana
The Ruthmere Mansion was named after the only child of Albert Raper and Elizabeth Baldwin Beardsley, Ruth. Born in 1880, she died in infancy. The story of the Beardsleys and a dynamic art collection focus on this historic home. Albert Beardsley was a prominent businessman in Elkhart, Indiana, as he was the man behind Alka-Seltzer, ONE-A-DAY VITAMINS, and Bactine.
Ruthmere takes on a holiday theme from the Saturday after Thanksgiving through December 30. You are given a new reason to visit annually, as a unique holiday theme is chosen annually. Tours are available, and docents provide stories and the history of this magnificent historic home.
Pro Tip: There are several steps to climb to enter Ruthmere, which is not ADA accessible. The grounds are worth viewing from your car anytime, particularly during the holidays.
3. Seiberling Mansion
Kokomo, Indiana
The Seiberling Mansion was built in 1891 with Victorian elegance that is unique to the mansion. In 1972, this stunning mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Christmas at the Seiberling is something that thousands of people look forward to each year. As soon as you park your car, the holiday lights will shine, unlike anything you have seen before. The opening night lighting ceremony is traditionally held the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving. The outdoor and indoor holiday lights showcase the pride and joy of the Seiberling Mansion.
Pro Tip: Before you visit the mansion, tour the Kokomo Opalescent Glass factory to see how the oldest producer of hand cast, cathedral, and opalescent glass is made in the United States.
4. Deere-Wiman House & Butterworth Center
Moline, Illinois
The Deere-Wiman House, Overlook, was built in 1872 by John Deere’s son, Charles. With seven acres of formal gardens and walkways and a three-story carriage house, you will experience a setting that takes you back in time. During the holidays, the home hosts the sights and sounds of Christmas. Annually, a 19th-century Christmas is held. Guests can experience musical performances, children’s crafts, and an opportunity to explore the Deere-Wiman in all its glory with holiday decorations. Mark the first Sunday in December on your calendar. Each year, you can visit both of these lovely historic homes in all of their holiday glory.
The Butterworth Center is less than one block from the Deere-Wiman House. In 1892, Charles Deere built Butterworth Center a block from his own home, now known as the Deere-Wiman House. Moline, Illinois, is a bonus stop when exploring historic homes across the Midwest.
5. Hauberg Estate
Rock Island, Illinois
John and Susanne Hauberg were leading philanthropists in Rock Island, Illinois. The Hauberg Estate Mansion and Gardens was donated by the children of John and Susanne to the city of Rock Island in 1956. In 1972, the Hauberg Estate was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Friends of the Hauberg Civic Center Foundation took over the preservation, management, and operational responsibilities in 2016. During the holidays, the pride and joy of Rock Island shines through the Hauberg Estate. A tradition is a special holiday open house that is held, featuring Santa and cookies in the carriage house. This charming home will win you over as soon as you step through the main door.
6. Fowler House Mansion
Lafayette, Indiana
The Fowler House Mansion is a Gothic-style mansion built from 1851 to 1852 by Moses Fowler. Over the years, this historic mansion has been renovated to keep up with the times. An English Tudor-style dining room and fountains have been added. Back in the day, the Fowler House was a hangout for Purdue College students. Today, the home is run by the 1852 Foundation. Lunch, dinner, and brunch are served in the house. During the holidays, you can enjoy a meal surrounded in holiday decorations that give the house a new look and feel.
Pro Tip: Dine at the Fowler House Mansion in December to experience a delicious meal for a phenomenal experience.
7. Haan Museum
Lafayette, Indiana
The Haan Museum is in a historic mansion that was built in 1904 for the St. Louis World’s Fair. The mansion has three above-ground floors, a full basement, seven fireplaces, six bedrooms, and 5 ½ bathrooms. The massive size of the home is magnificent. In 1984, Bob and Ellie Haan purchased the mansion, which was known as the Potter Mansion. They raised their three sons in the home, and in 1992, they started doing some extensive renovations. It was then that they realized they were finding a lot of Indiana art. In 2013, they began offering tours, and in 2015, they created the nonprofit Haan Museum of Indiana Art. The Haans donated the building, grounds, and artwork to the museum.
When you visit over the holidays, the Haan Museum is a magical place. Holidays at the Haan come to life between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. The festive decorations, glowing lights, Christmas trees, and holiday magic can be found in every room of the mansion.
Pro Tip: Stroll the Sculpture Garden. It has a 0.2-mile wheelchair-accessible path featuring 27 sculptures.
8. Lincoln-Tallman House
Janesville, Wisconsin
The Lincoln-Tallman House in Janesville, Wisconsin, offers a step back in time. Learn about William Morrison Tallman and his family as a docent leads you through this beautiful historic home. A highlight of the Lincoln-Tallman House is the Holiday Tree Show Tour. With more than 50 Christmas trees decorated throughout the home, the sight is incredibly stunning. Nonprofit organizations and local businesses each decorate a tree. The Christmas trees are then placed throughout the Lincoln-Tallman house for guests to view. Holidays at the Lincoln-Tallman House typically run the weekend after Thanksgiving through Christmas.
There’s something magical about 50 Christmas trees all lit up for the holidays in a historic home. When you visit this historic home, be sure to see the bedroom that Abraham Lincoln stayed in before he became the 16th President of the United States.
Pro Tip: Purchase a combo ticket to tour the Lincoln-Tallman House and the Rock County Historical Society Museum.
9. Wolf Mansion
Parkersburg, Iowa
The Queen Anne-style, Wolf Mansion in Parkersburg, Iowa, offers Victorian charm. This stunning historic home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 32 rooms highlight life during the turn of the 20th century. During the holiday season, these rooms come to life with holiday decorations. I love how this historic home features memorabilia from the community. Christmas brings special joy to the season, as the Wolf Mansion celebrates the season with holiday lights, garlands, and festive trees. The home typically hosts an open house featuring the holiday decorations on the first Sunday in December.
Pro Tip: Experience the history of John Deere, at the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, 32 miles from Parkersburg.
Each of these historic homes is worth your time. They all offer incredible beauty and history. The holidays come to life in unique ways. You will see these homes through the magic of the holiday lights and sounds, bringing new life to these historic homes. Plan an hour, two, or half a day to explore the holiday magic. Immerse yourself in the magic each of these homes offers for a memorable visit.
