Latzer Homestead to come alive with spirit of the season
Christmas trees and more Christmas trees. The Latzer Homestead in Highland is alive with Christmas trees and creative decorations. Friends and organizations are swarming the 13-room Homestead and transforming it into a wonderland for the holidays.
The opening will be Dec. 5 and 6, and Dec. 12 and 13 from 1to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Supervised children ages 12 and under are free.
“For the last three weeks, the Homestead was alive with holiday decorating, all provided by volunteers from the community,” said event chairperson Sharon Hargus. “We couldn’t do a project of this size without the communities help.”
As you arrive you will be greeted with wreaths and decorations. Janet Kraus, caretaker of the Homestead, added flourishes to the buildings, porches and grounds.
The girls’ rooms are being decorated with themes by the St. Paul Mega Flea Market group of Linda Abendroth, Laurie Kurwicki and Pat White. The first room is full of traditional decorations, with “red” being the theme. In the adjoining room, you see that Miss Alice, the last of the Latzers to live in the home, is planning a trip to France. Her travel items are being prepared.
Across the hall is the guest room, and it is being transformed by Carol’s Forget Me Not Florist. Carol’s use of flowers is always a delightful and creative.
Decorations are being added to the boy’s room by the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary. A tree full of wonder will greet you. Linda Jakel and Janet Lang will head this room transformation. See the antique toys.
While upstairs, you’ll also see the maid’s room, which contains many of the family toys from the early of the 1900s. Appropriately, this room is being decorated by the EvUCC Board of Christian Education with Darlene Nagel and Connie Hug at the helm. The toys will look like they are ready as gifts for a deserving child.
Vicki Burke volunteered to do the gardner’s room, just because she likes decorating. She has a lively interpretations of Christmas decor.
The massive entry, staircase and upstairs landing is full of bows and greenery. Don’t miss your chance to stand under the “Kissing Ball” in the entry. Hargus, who is also curator for the Historical Society, has transformed these rooms to greet you on your arrival.
She also added elegance to the dining room. As you enter the room you will wish you could join the family for supper. Velvet ribbons and lush decorations along with fine china accent the room. A real tree will be fully decorated.
The Highland Garden Club will again decorate the master bedroom with touches of botanicals. Highland Historical Society President John Johnson and Kathy Moore are overseeing the transformation.
Janet Nicolaides and Marlene Scholl always have fun decorating the Homestead. This year, they are doing the parlor, which contains Louis Latzer’s desk and gift shop. Their decorating is always creative.
The living room is full of trees and vintage ornaments. Not only are there two feather trees with decorations but also the large tree full of vintage ornaments. There are wrapped gifts ready for the family, as well as vintage toys. This room is decorated by board member Lynn Rehberger.
The tour ends in the large country kitchen with cookies and wassail. It is decorated by Paula Redman and the Illinois Federations of Business Women organization in an old-fashioned style. Homemade cookies are provided by the Historical Society members.
The Latzer Homestead is 2.5 miles south of Highland at 1464 Old Trenton Road. There is plenty of parking and the restrooms will be open.
For information on the Homestead tour, or to arrange a special group tour, call 654-7957.
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 3:56 AM with the headline "Latzer Homestead to come alive with spirit of the season."