Special Events 2010

January 21 - Annual Dinner & Auction - 6-9 p.m., $35 per person (fundraiser)
Join the Friends of Stephenson House in celebrating another successful year of operation. Your participation in a silent as well as an oral auction will help support the Stephenson House to have another successful year. For information about location, menu, and auction items contact RoxAnn or Kevin at 618-692-1818.
 
February 20 & 21 - The Other Family: Indentured Servants at Stephenson House, General Admission
Come and see what life was like for the indentured servants at Stephenson House. Experience the chores and activities each servant performed on a daily basis. Listen to the stirring tales of slavery in Illinois…and more.
 
April 24 & 25 - Muster of Col. Stephenson's Militia, General Admission
Citizen soldiers gather at Stephenson House to take up arms in defense of their homes. Visitors will view a militia encampment, soldiers’ daily routine, and preparations for the expedition led by Col. Stephenson during the War of 1812. Various demonstrations are also planned throughout the site. Tours of the house take place throughout the day.
 
June 5 - Family Fun Day: Marbleizing Paper, General Admission plus $2 per participant for supplies
Bring the whole family for an adventure in historical hands-on fun! Learn how to make marbleized paper then take your creation home. Marbleized paper was used for a variety of purposes in 1820 including book covers, hat boxes and decorative arts. This activity is something adults and children will enjoy. Prepare to get messy! No registration necessary since the activity takes place throughout the day. An additional fee of $2 per participant is charged in order to cover supply expenses. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
June 19 - Story time at the Stephenson House, 1-2 p.m., free
Gather under the old shade tree (weather permitting) to listen to stories of adventure and fun. During the months of June through September guest storytellers will entertain visiting children with stories of the past, fantastical worlds and distant cultures. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
June 26 - Garden Talk: Fruit Trees, 9:30 a.m., free
Conducted in the orchard by an experienced gardener, this 30-minute informative talk introduces participants to the basics of growing fruit trees. Weather permitting.
 
July 3 - Family Fun Day: Laundry, General Admission
Bring the whole family for an adventure in historical hands-on fun! Learn how to clean your clothes the old-fashioned way with lots of elbow grease, water and lye soap. Try your hand at stain removal, washing on a wooden washboard, and carrying gallons of water using a neck yoke. Getting really wet is required! No registration necessary since the activity takes place throughout the day. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
July 17 - Story time at the Stephenson House 1-2 p.m., free
Gather under the old shade tree (weather permitting) to listen to stories of adventure and fun. During the months of June through September guest storytellers will entertain visiting children with stories of the past, fantastical worlds and distant cultures. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
July 31 - Garden Talk: Herbs, 9:30 a.m., free
Herbs are the focus of this month’s talk. Meet in the teaching garden to learn about uses (modern and historical) for a variety of easily gown herbs. Length: 30 minutes. Weather permitting
 
August 7 - Family Fun Day: Candle making, General Admission
Bring the whole family for an adventure in historical hands-on fun! Visitors will create a one-of-a-kind hand-dipped candle with instruction from one of our trained interpreters. Demonstrations of how to mold candles are also planned. Due to the nature of the activity children under 8 years old must be assisted by a parent or guardian.
No registration necessary since the activity takes place throughout the day. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
August 21 - Story time at the Stephenson House 1-2 p.m., free
Gather under the old shade tree (weather permitting) to listen to stories of adventure and fun. During the months of June through September guest storytellers will entertain visiting children with stories of the past, fantastical worlds and distant cultures. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
 
August 28 - Garden Talk: Heritage Gardening, free
Enjoy the Stephenson Houses heritage garden in full bloom while learning tips for creating your own heritage oasis. Length: 30 minutes. Weather permitting
 
September 18 - Story time at the Stephenson House 1-2 p.m., free
Gather under the old shade tree (weather permitting) to listen to stories of adventure and fun. During the months of June through September guest storytellers will entertain visiting children with stories of the past, fantastical worlds and distant cultures. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
October 1-31 - Mourning Benjamin Stephenson Exhibit, General Admission
Join the Stephenson Family and Edwardsville as it mourns one of its founding fathers.  Experience the customs grieving families practiced and say goodbye to Colonel Benjamin Stephenson as he lies in state in the parlor of his home.  Watch as lawyers begin cataloging the Stephenson’s personal items for the probate records, and as Lucy prepares to auction off her belongings.
 
October 3 - 50/50 Auction, Free Admission
Check your attics and basements for antiques, memorabilia and collectibles, and then donate them to the ninth annual 50/50 auction. Proceeds are split 50/50 with the house or you may chose to donate the entire sale. The auction features a large assortment of quality items. House tours will not be available during this event.
 
October 22 & 23 - Mourning Candlelight Tour, 6-9 p.m., General Admission
Visit with us as we explore the macabre side of the Stephenson House history.  Benjamin Stephenson died in this  house on October 10, 1822.  This evening event introduces the visitor to mourning customs practiced by the Stephenson family almost two hundred years ago.  Join us as we honor Col. Stephenson’s memory and remember the heartache and lifestyle changes his family suffered with his death. This event is not appropriate for small children. Stephenson House will not be open during the day on Friday or Saturday in order to prepare for the evening event.
 
November 26 & 27 - Christmas Candlelight Tours, 6-9 p.m., General Admission
Come experience Christmas at the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House.  The customs of the 1820s will surround guests as Father Christmas, and his mischievous brother Rupert, entertain children and adults alike. Period demonstrations will take place in the kitchen, and freshly made hot wassail will be served in the washhouse.  Historically garbed docents will be throughout the house as guests take a self-guided tour through the festively adorned rooms. Stephenson House will not be open during the day on Friday or Saturday in order to prepare for the evening event.