An old fashioned holiday

METAMORA - The Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site will be decked out for the holidays during the month of December.

The Metamora Woman's Club 17th Annual "Christmas in the Courthouse" opens Friday, November 30 in the historic 1845 courthouse on the Metamora town square. Ten trees will be decorated with historic, community or patriotic themes along with wreaths, garlands and burgundy velvet bows inside and outside the courthouse. The trees and decorations may be viewed through January 4, 2008.

On Friday, November 30 the Metamora Woman's Club will sponsor an open house and concert at Metamora Courthouse from 6 to 8:30 p.m. featuring live Christmas and traditional music in the courtroom. A choir and carolers will lead visitors in a community sing-along. Hot cider and cookies will be served. A second open house on Saturday, December 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. will be coordinated with other community activities around the square. Children can talk with Santa and his elves, who will arrive in the courtroom at 2 p.m. Greeters in 1860s costumes can be seen in Metamora Courthouse and around the Metamora Village Square on Saturday. All events are free and open to the public.

For the first time, people who have been unable to make it up the stairs to the second floor of the Metamora Courthouse will have the opportunity to enjoy the activities going on there November 30 and December 1. Live digital projection will bring those activities to the courthouse's first floor. The handicapped accessible entrance to the courthouse is located at the rear of the building.

Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is one of only two surviving original Eighth Judicial Circuit courthouses where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. It is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Call (309) 367-4470 for more information.