Events
State Street on LaSalle Opening
New Restaurant Alert—State Street on LaSalle has just opened!
Step into a unique and intimate boutique dining room, designed to create a warm and inviting atmosphere with a romantic vibe, perfect for any occasion. Start your visit In the Copper Bar, where rustic charm meets modern taste, offering a fantastic selection of cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine.
Whether you’re in search of your new favorite lunch spot, a memorable dinner experience, a leisurely Saturday or Sunday morning brunch with mimosas and Bloody Marys, we promise you’ll leave with a smile and memories that will last long after your meal.
The Annual Village of Elsah 4th of July Parade and Potluck Party
The Parade kicks off at 11:30 AM at the Elsah Civic Center. Everyone is welcome to join the fun—whether you’re in a car, on foot, or cheering from the sidelines!
After the parade, the celebration continues with a potluck and party back at the Civic Center! We’ll provide brats, hotdogs, and refreshing drinks. Please bring a dish to share with your friends and neighbors.
We can’t wait to celebrate with both familiar faces and new friends at this historic parade!
Hosmer-Williams Lecture Series
Historic Elsah Foundation was formed by Dr. Charles Hosmer and Dr. Paul Williams – both were professors at Principia College – as a non-profit organization in 1971. HEF’s purpose is to preserve and enhance the historic buildings, houses, architecture, and culture of the Village of Elsah. Elsah’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places was also the work of Hosmer and Williams.
Each year, Historic Elsah Foundation presents the Hosmer-Williams Lecture Series, which offers important insights into the rich historical significance of Elsah, its surrounding areas, or our state.
The lectures are free and open to the public.
To become a member of HEF and help contribute to this important work, check out HistoricElsah.org.
Home for the Holidays Tour 2025 – Coming Soon
The Home for the Holidays House Tour is the largest activity for Historic Elsah Foundation. This tour is the primary fundraiser for all HEF preservation efforts and upcoming talks about Elsah and historic preservation. Enjoy a walk through the historic Village of Elsah while touring selected homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Also open are Farley Music Hall, the Elsah Museum, the historic two-room school house, Elsah’s bed and breakfast inns, churches, and the village shops. A stroll through Elsah lets us feel the presence of the past, while enjoying the beauty of this picturesque, historic village. Join us as we open the holiday season by opening our homes.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Online ticket sales are $20. Admission is free for children 12 and under.
Select Number of Tickets
1 Tour $20.00 USD
Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, will be the site for “WILL CALL” – prepaid ticket pickup starting at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event
Your ticket includes a self-guided house tour and musical entertainment at the two Elsah churches.
Day of event admission
$25
Tickets will be available at Farley Music Hall starting at 1 p.m.
Admission is free for children 12 and under.
For more information email historicelsah@gmail.com.
The Home for the Holidays House Tour is a program event of Historic Elsah Foundation. The Historic Elsah Foundation, incorporated in 1971 as a non-profit organization, has as its purpose the preservation and enhancement of the historic buildings, houses, architecture, and culture of the Village of Elsah, Illinois, through the encouragement of historical research on the Village and other nearby historic areas. The Historic Elsah Foundation sponsors research projects, educational meetings, house tours and walking tours, and is a co-sponsor of the Village of Elsah Museum.
Dan Kistler, Leaf Bundle, Best of Show, 2025
2026 Elsah Photography Competition and Exhibit
The Historic Elsah Foundation invites photographers of all ages to participate in the Elsah Photography Competition and Exhibit. Showcase your creativity and passion by capturing the essence of Elsah in one or both of the following themes:
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- “It’s the Little Things” – This could be any subject matter. Found details, natural or manmade will work. Very open subject matter, but tends towards an up-close view.
- Portraits – People, Pets or Porches! – We love our Neighbors, their pets and their porches of hospitality. Find our characters, both furry and two legged. Also, remember that porches can also be a portrait, of the nostalgic life we lead in Elsah. Our porches enable us to enjoy the summer and help us create a beautiful place to live! Please see the website for a downloadable PDF of a Model Release form. This is for people who are recognizable in your photos.
Eligibility: Open to all photographers, regardless of age.
Submission Deadline: January 3, 2026
Curated Pop-Up Festivals
Escape to Elsah is bringing curated pop-up festivals to life throughout the year. These events will showcase artisanal markets, live music, seasonal celebrations, and cultural showcases, transforming the village into a hub of creativity and charm. Perfect for families, friends, or solo explorers, our pop-ups invite visitors to experience the magic of Elsah in every season. Check back for updates!
Museum Exhibits
The Coloring Book Process Exhibit (July 12 – October 2025)
Showcasing the creative collaboration between Marty McKay and Sun Smith-Foret through original art, photos, and explanatory panels. Two coloring books and greeting cards will be available for purchase.
Eagle Watching
American Bald Eagles make their winter home on the Mississippi River between Alton and Pere Marquette, drawing eagle watchers from all over the region. Join others as you drive the Great River Road viewing the historic majestic beauty of the bluffs and spot the eagles perched among them. Elsah is a prime location and Elsah General Store is one of the ‘hot spots’ designated by the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau. While in Elsah, take advantage of great overnight deals at The Green Tree Inn “bed and breakfast” or stay at the Maple Leaf Cottage Inn. While visiting, stop in one of Elsah’s newest boutique shops. Various activities have also been planned throughout the region. For more information on eagle season activities visit Great Rivers & Routes.