Sunday, December 3, noon – 5 p.m.
Butterworth Center, 1105 Eighth Street, Moline IL
Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline IL
An eagerly awaited holiday tradition, the Butterworth Center's and Deere-Wiman House's 19th Century Christmas event returns on December 3 with familiar treats and a brand-new one, as patrons are invited to test elements of a self-guided tour that will allow guests to interact with 19th Century rooms and objects in a 21st Century way.
Hand-held electronic tablets will be located throughout the Butterworth Center, and will provide an interactive experience by guiding visitors through the home and providing information about it occupants, its furniture, its mementos, and more. While the tour in full will be available in the summer of 2018, those attending 19th Century Christmas are invited to share their thoughts about the tour test early, with written feedback encouraged at the Center's entryway table.
Beyond the tours, the Butterworth Center will host performances by the Moline High School Chamber Orchestra at 12:30 p.m., the Rock Island High School Chanber Singers at 1:30 p.m., harpist Veronica Henderson at 2:30 p.m., and Keynote Vocals Studio at 3:30 p.m. The adjoining Butterworth Education Center will feature children's crafts and activities – with a free book from Santa for the first 400 to arrive – plus screenings of videos created by the Butterworth Foundation and WQPT-TV: Uncommon Assets: The Life & Legacy of John Deere and Hiiden Treasures: Discovering Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House through the Eyes of a Child.
At the neighboring Deere-Wiman House, musical entertainment will come via pianist Will Gerhardt at 1 p.m., flute players Nicole Romano and Sarah Lisak at 1:30 p.m., Keynote Vocals Studio at 2:30 p.m., pianists Eric Newton (at 3:30 p.m.) and Eric Moon (at 4 p.m.), and a slide-trombone quartet playing at scheduled intervals. Charles Wiman's 1933 Lionel Train set will also be on display, and the adjoining Deere-Wiman Carriage House will boast children's make-and-take crafts, face painting, and caricature drawings.
Cookies, hot chocolate, and punch will also be available throughout the free event, and more information on 19th Century Christmas is available by calling (309)743-2700 or visiting ButterworthCenter.com.
