Oglesby Mansion to host their traditional Christmas Tea

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Tradition continues at the Oglesby Mansion and Museum! 

Governor Richard J. Oglesby’s Mansion located at 421 West William Street in Decatur will host their annual Christmas Tea Sunday, December 7 from 1pm to 4pm. No reservations are necessary. The public will be able to stroll the mansion with an informal tour and see the many decorations. There will also be tea, Oglesby punch, and cookies available. Donations are accepted but not required.  

Stefanie Pansch will be bringing gorgeous harp music into the mansion from 1:30 to 2:30!  Stefanie just played during the lying-in-state for former Governor Jim Edgar. Christmas Carols will be sung by the Oglesby singers as well. The Garden Club of Decatur has decorated the mansion in the appropriate festive attire!  A group of 15 ladies decorated the Mansion this year. The Decatur Quilters Guild also provided several Christmas Quilts to add to the holiday décor.  

Guests will have the unique opportunity during the Tea to sample Emma Oglesby’s recipe for orange marmalade.  It was made by Macon County Association for Home and Community Education.  Liz King is the President of the association and spearheaded the making of the marmalade. The marmalade will be served on shortbread cookies. “Our board likes to think it is very likely this was a Christmas treat for the governor and his family as well,” said Lenda Munson Oglesby Tea chairman.  There will be 30 jars of the limited-edition jars of the marmalade for sale during the tea. 

Visitors will experience a piece of Decatur, IL history with a tour of this amazingly restored mansion. The Mansion was built in 1875-76 after his second marriage. The original plans for Oglesby Mansion were by William LeBaron Jenney, a Chicago architect who was best known for designing the first modern skyscraper.

The Oglesbys modified the plans a great deal and hired a local contractor to build the home for them. Two of their four children were born while they lived in the house. In 1882 they moved to Lincoln Illinois. Governor Oglesby was elected to three nonconsecutive terms as Illinois Governor. 

More information about the Mansion is available on their Facebook page and at www.oglesbymansion.org

For More Information:  
Ayn Owens
(217) 791-1385
aynproductions@yahoo.com