Events
Eagle Season: January – March
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.
SAVE THE DATE – The Elsah Holiday Walk – December 4th, 12:00 – 4:00
Historic Elsah Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of Elsah’s homes, buildings, architecture, culture, and environment, had to cancel its annual Home for the Holidays House Tour again this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Hoping to contribute to the holiday spirit in the village, HEF decided to offer this FREE event – the Elsah Holiday Walk. Although there will be no homes open this year, the Holiday Walk includes visits inside four of Elsah’s historic buildings – the two-room schoolhouse, Farley’s Music Hall, the Elsah Museum, and the Elsah Methodist Church – with a host at each building sharing historic information. The village’s unique shops will also be open, along with our two bed & breakfast inns serving cookies and other treats, while carolers roam the streets, and holiday music is performed at Elsah’s two churches. **Masks will be required inside the buildings. Free tickets for the Holiday Walk may be reserved at www.historicelsah.org, or picked up on the day of the event at the Elsah Civic Center, 51 Mill Street.
Since 1971, Historic Elsah Foundation has played an important role to help preserve the village’s historic significance and picturesque beauty. Fundraisers, like the House Tour, which was canceled this year, help support the work of the Foundation. Please consider making a donation to HEF. Donations of any size will be gratefully accepted at www.historicelsah.org, or in-person on the day of the Holiday Walk.
Elsah Festivals
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 historic 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 www.historicelsah.org.
Elsah Photography Exhibit
Submissions are being accepted for the Village of Elsah Museum’s annual photography exhibit which runs from April 2 to August 7, 2022.
The theme is “Elsah Postcard,” and the exhibit will be in the museum building, Elsah Village Hall, at 26 LaSalle St. An open reception is planned for Saturday, April 2, 2022, during which winners are announced.
Submissions are due by Monday, March 7, 2022. Photographers – amateur and professional – are invited to make submissions to the exhibit and participate in the purchase prize portion of the exhibit. There will be one purchase prize winner, The Village of Elsah purchase prize, for an image taken in the valley or in the surrounding area of the Village of Elsah. The amount of the purchase prize is $200. The exhibit has also added a youth prize for photographers age 10 to 18.
Read the full 2022 Rules.