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Christmas House Tour

Make plans now to join us for our popular Christmas House Tour! This year’s tour will be Tuesday, December 12 from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. The following locations will be decorated in all their holiday finery and open for tours this year:

1309 Hampton Road

1016 Greenbrier Lane

309 Pine Ridge Dr.

9 Hunters Way

Washington Presbyterian Church

Washington Historical Society

Tours are self-guided and attendees can go at their own pace as they tour each location. In addition to the official stops, St. Mark’s will have a live nativity scene as well as a live petting “zoo” and an indoor display of nativity sets all from 4-6 p.m. The Historical Society will be a festive resting spot with refreshments for participants to rest and discuss the beautiful decor they have seen on the tour.

The four homes on the tour this year represent four different Washington neighborhoods: Devonshire, Firethorn, Westlake, and the South Hillcrest area. The Presbyterian Church and the nativity scene at St. Mark’s are, of course, in the historic blocks near the square.

In addition, this year, the Society is excited to display Kathy Mattus’s Winter Lego collection at our building during the tour. Kathy started her Winter Lego collection 13 years ago thinking it would be something fun to do as a family. Her collection has since then grown from simple 2-dimensional, 40-50 piece holiday figures like snowmen and Santa Clauses to complex 3-dimensional buildings with over 1,500 pieces. Her collection currently includes all 15 winter sets and many smaller holiday sets.

Tickets are available for purchase now! Tickets are $20 before the event and can be purchased at Kimpling’s Ace, Step Bank in Time, and Homespun, or you can purchase them right here online using paypal (see below). Tickets on the day of the event will be $25 and will only be available at the Historical Society.

Using the Historical Society Building

Have you been in the Historical Society’s building on the square? Then you know the space is beautiful and we have the best view of the square in town. We do rent the space to local civic organizations for meetings and to private citizens to use for small gatherings such as baby showers, retirement parties, etc. If you would like to find out more information about how you can rent our space, please contact the Historical Society at washingtonilhs@gmail.com.

Purchase Historic Bricks

The Washington Historical Society has 150-year-old Barr bricks available for purchase for your landscaping or building projects at home.

The bricks were originally used in the old brick streets in Washington. When the streets were resurfaced, the bricks were removed and saved for future use. The Washington Historical Society, with the help of adult and student volunteers, saved these bricks from destruction and prepared them to be ready for sale.

The bricks are loaded on pallets of approximately 275 bricks each and are available for purchase for $275 / pallet plus a $50 / pallet local delivery charge. If you would like more information or would like to purchase one or more pallets of bricks, please contact the Society at washingtonilhs@gmail.com.

2023 Roots Recipient – Dr. Tim Allshouse

Each year, the Washington Historical Society honors an individual or individuals who spent a portion of their childhood in Washington and went on to make significant contributions in the field of science, government, arts, sports, business, or charitable work, law, or communications. Dr. Tim Allshouse was nominated by a Washington resident to receive this recognition. The Historical Society welcomed him back to Washington for a special presentation on September 10. To see a video of his presentation to the Historical Society, please visit our YouTube page.

Dr. Allshouse is the Director of Bands at Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Missouri. During his tenure, the Blue Springs Band has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade three times, the Tournament of Roses Parade twice, and a Presidential Inaugural Parade. The Blue Springs Marching Band has been a Bands of America Super Regional Finalist collectively 28 times in St. Louise, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and San Antonio, as well as a multiple-time Grand National Finalist. The Blue Springs Concert and Jazz Bands have performed at the state music conference in Missouri eight times in the last fourteen years. The jazz ensemble was the featured entertainment at the prestigious Tournament of Roses Presidential Breakfast as well as the National School Board Association and the SYTA Convention on two occasions. The Blue Springs Band Department is a recipient of the prestigious Sousa Foundation Award: The Sudler Shield, and is Missouri’s only Grammy Signature Music Program.

After graduating from Washington Community High School in 1988, Dr. Allshouse earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in both instrumental and music education where he studied conducting with Ray Cramer and Stephen W. Pratt. He received his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his doctorate from the University of Kansas. Dr. Allshouse serves on the national advisory board and is an adjudicator / clinician for Music For All / Bands of America. Dr. Allshouse also serves as a general clinician, honor band conductor, and drill designer throughout the country.

Historic Washington

Dr. Harley Zinser Home

105 Zinser (Est. 1858)

Constructed in 1858, the home of Dr. Zinser features a Greek Revival structure and was designed to be a single family home with an office in the east parlor. Additions to the home were added later in the 1880’s and early 1900’s. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Though the Zinser House was owned by the Washington Historical Society for many years, today it is back in private ownership by a member of the Zinser Family. The House is a home once again.

Hiram Price Home

109 Burton (Est. 1867)

Although exact building records are questionable, the home at 109 Burton was originally built at 102 Burton in 1867 with an Italianate Structure by Hiram Price. Price served as Mayor of Washington from 1899-1901. In 1915, the home was purchased and moved to 109 Burton by Henry Denhart which later accommodated the First National Bank’s Money Store. After some renovations in recent years, the house still stands as a single family home in Washington. [1]

116 N. Elm

116 N. Elm (Est. 1898 or 1906)

The exact age of this historic home is unknown, however it is believed to have been constructed in either 1898 or 1906. It is a foursquare house and has been well-preserved over the years. Its past owners have included two Washington Mayors: John G. Gorin and Richard F. Tanton. [1][2]

Israel Zinser Home

307 E. Jefferson (Est. 1878)

Moving his family to Washington to become the City’s primary pharmacist, Israel Zinser built this house in 1878 for his family. The home has kept the same look and feel as it did in its day for over 130 years, the only exception being the porch that was added to the home in the early 20th century. The home remains in the Zinser family, as it has for five generations. [1][2]

Holland Home

312 S. Market (Est. Mid-1800's)

Like many historic homes, the exact date of construction on the home at 312 Market is hard to place. The front portion of the main level was constructed in 1870, and the upstairs and rear of the home were added in 1893. Still, the home has some pretty big historic significance for Washington, with its history dating back to the Matthew Holland, son of Hollands Grove Founder (later re-named to Washington), William Holland.[1]

What We Do

Acquire, Preserve, Display

The mission of this Society is to acquire, preserve, and display Washington’s history.

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