Elsah and Principia College now a Premium Excursion for Viking River Cruises

The award-winning Green Tree Inn served “sweet treats” to the visitors.

On July 4th, the Great Rivers and Routes Tourist Bureau partnered with Viking Cruise Lines to provide several tours of Elsah and Principia College. Six buses arrived in the village every 30 minutes starting about 9 a.m. following a weather delay and ran until 2 p.m., carrying several hundred tourists from all over the world. Connie and Gary Davis from the Green Tree Inn along with several volunteers, managed to skillfully handle the walking tours throughout the village and it went without a hitch. Not an easy task; one volunteer good-naturedly compared it to herding cats.

It was heartwarming to see the reactions of so many people marveling over Elsah, seeing it for the first time. Both visitors and residents bonded over a memorable visit during a cherished national holiday. One English lady commented, “This reminds me so much of many of the small villages of southern England near Southampton. Had no idea I’d find this in the States.” Another visitor from Ireland said, “ This place reminds me of home more than any place I’ve been in the U.S.” Thanks to all the volunteers who helped create an unforgettable experience for hundreds of people around the globe. Excellent job Elsah! This is why we live here.

Upcoming Tours Schedule