This Sunday will be the Christmas Open House at the Vermilion County Museum. As director Sue Richter told Linda Bolton on 1490 WDAN’s News Makers program, this will be a chance to tour the museum’s Fithian House, talk with character actors, and live a Christmas season of long ago.
AUDIO: So we thought well maybe, since we could be open at Christmas this year and have an event, that we would go back and rejuvinate the Candlelight Walk; where people can come through, they can tour the museum so they can still wear their mask, everybody can social distance, and they can speak to some historical figures from Vermilion County’s past.
Sue Richter gives us a little history on Dr. Fithian, and his friendship with a certain Mr Lincoln.
AUDIO: Doctor came from Ohio. He actually purchased over 3,000 acres west of Danville, close to where the town of Fithian is today, that was part of the property. He had quite a lucrative cattle operation out there initially at first. Of course he was elected to represent the people at the legislature in the House of Representatives in Vandalia, Illinois. That was where he met Mr. Lincoln, and that friendship would continue throughout Lincoln’s life. And he would often visit the doctor, so that’s why we have the Lincoln Room at the house. It is the room he slept in, and it is the bed where he slept.
Sunday’s Christmas Open House at the Vermilion County Museum is set for 4:30 to 7 PM. It’s free, sponsored by First Farmer’s Bank in Oakwood and Hoopeston. The location is 116 North Gilbert in Danville.
