The Tanner House Museum, decorated for the holidays, will be open for walkthrough tours on the Sundays of December, December 5, 12, 19 and 26, from Noon to 4pm.
The museum has not been open since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have had to be cautious at the Tanner House,” according to John Jaros, Executive Director of the Aurora Historical Society which owns and operates the museum. “Indoors the spaces are very tight, and the rooms are filled with a lot of furniture which makes social distancing a challenge. But people love this house and they especially love the holiday décor. We felt that we could share the beauty again, if we took sensible health precautions.”
Docent Bill Walsh and curatorial assistant Scott Sherwood work on a toy train to be displayed in the Parlor during December open house tours. A grandmother holds her granddaughter’s hand while visiting the house at Christmas in 2014.
The holiday open houses will be organized as a one-way walk-through and there will not be commentary by docents. In addition, only the first floor will be shown, since the narrow stairway to the second floor requires physical proximity and two-way traffic.
All visitors, including children, must wear masks at all times in the house.
Admission is free, although donations are greatly appreciated. Reservations will not be required, but guests are advised to dress for the weather since it may be necessary to wait briefly on the front porch if attendance warrants.
The house is located at 304 Oak Avenue, 60506 in the historic Tanner District. The Pantry will be fitted out as a gift shop featuring the society’s signature product, the Vintage Aurora Calendar, as well as new offerings like embroidered chef aprons, infant onesies and laser-cut slate items.
