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.
Photo by Jeffrey Vaughn 2024 –Snow Trees
Announcing the 2025 Elsah Museum Photo Exhibit Participants!
The 2025 Historic Elsah Museum Competition and Exhibit is excited to announce the following Photographers have had one to three photographs accepted into this annual show. It opens April 5, 3-4pm, a Saturday, at the Elsah Village Museum, 26 Lasalle Street, Elsah, Il. Awards will be announced during the Awards Event at that time. The public, as well as friends and family of the entrants are invited to attend the reception. We hope to see you there!
Joan Baker, M. Kelly, Dan Kistler, Lauren Lloyd, Michael Matney, Marty McKay, Elise Monroe, Mary Odhiambo, Sam Odhiambo, Rosa Renner, Carolyn Schlueter, Jeffrey Vaughn
We hope you’ll congratulate these creative individuals! They entered their images under one of two themes: The Majesty of Trees, or Elsah Still Life. Some entered both categories! We’re delighted with their enthusiasm and creativity! Twenty-six outstanding images will make up a memorable exhibit! Photos will be on display at the museum, thru June 28, 2025.
The awards will be announced at the Elsah Museum’s opening, April 5: Best of Show ($400), First Place($300), Second Place($200), and Third Place ($100), + 4 Honorable Mentions ($25 Elsah Gift Certificates) and a Youth Award ($75).
The Juror, Carmen Troesser, is an editor and lifestyle photographer based in the Midwest. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri in 1993. Troesser travels for assignments from her Chicago home base. In 2022 she was the Winner of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award. https://www.carmentroesser.com
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.
Village of Elsah Fall Festival
The Village of Elsah Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Escape to the historic village for an afternoon of fun, music, and tours during the event. The village is located on the banks of the Mississippi River along the Great River Road. All businesses and historic buildings will be open throughout the afternoon. The day will be packed with great food and opportunities to support our local artists. Live music will also be heard throughout the village while festival goers enjoy exploring the quaint charm and surrounding beauty. Come join us for a Fall day in beautiful Elsah. Check out the flyer to see the variety of entertainment, activities, artisans, food, and drink that will be at the Village of Elsah festival.
Due to the overwhelming response of vendor participation, our vendor registration is now closed. For more information or if you would like to be placed on our waitlist, please email [email protected].
Home for the Holidays House Tour – December 7, 2024
Elsah’s annual Home for the Holidays House Tour is on Saturday, December 7th, 1 to 5 p.m. Eight historic homes, beautifully decorated for the season, will be open for the House Tour, along with five of Elsah’s public buildings, the village shops, and bed & breakfast inns, giving guests a very special self-guided walking tour through our picturesque and historic village. Tickets purchased in advance are $20.00, and go on sale beginning October 15th, 2024. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the event for $25.00. Ticket holders receive a tour booklet, which includes a photo and a brief historical description of each of the buildings, along with a map and directory. The event is hosted by the Village of Elsah and Historic Elsah Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to historic education and preservation in Elsah. Proceeds benefit HEF. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HistoricElsah.org.