One of the best ways to see the Deere-Wiman House and celebrate its 150th birthday this year is to visit on Sunday, Dec. 4, when the historic home will throw open its doors to show off the lights of the holiday season. Those who join the noon-5 p.m. event are especially fortunate that the annual […]
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One of the best ways to see the Deere-Wiman House and celebrate its 150th birthday this year is to visit on Sunday, Dec. 4, when the historic home will throw open its doors to show off the lights of the holiday season.Those who join the noon-5 p.m. event are especially fortunate that the annual Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center’s 19th Century Christmas will be back in all its glory this year after COVID-19 restrictions heavily impacted the 2020 and 2021 events. For example, organizers tried to offer scheduled visits in 2020 and then had to completely cancel, said Gretchen Small, the site’s director of programs and collections. In 2021, Deere-Wiman was decorated and tours were conducted in limited numbers with timed entries. “We partially decorated other buildings for the group meetings.” “This year we will be fully decorated,” she said of the properties at 1105 8th St., Moline.That means once again hundreds of visitors will be able to step back in time to experience the sights and sounds of an 1800s Christmas throughout the historic site. No registration is required and visitors are free to roam around. All four buildings will be shining so Ms. Small said visitors will be able to enjoy:
Beautiful decorations throughout both Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center.
Musical performances at Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House. Also, Butterworth Center will feature local youth performers.
Children’s crafts in the Deere-Wiman Carriage House and Butterworth Education Center.
Refreshments in Butterworth Center, DW carriage house and education center.
In addition to the Christmas party, 150th anniversary tours will continue throughout the rest of this year and into next. And both Deere-Wiman and the Butterworth Center, located across the street, continue to serve as year-round sites for educational and cultural events, meeting space for not-for-profit organizations, and tours for local, national and international visitors. They are operated by the William Butterworth Foundation and funded through trusts created by the estates of John Deere family members. There is no cost for using the event space for qualifying organizations. To find out more, visit www.butterworthcenter.com. If you have questions, call staff at (309) 743-2700.Tours are available by appointment only during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Donations are welcome. For more information or to schedule a tour, call (309) 743-2701 or email Ms. Small at [email protected].
