Historic home featured in the 2018 tour

Holiday Lantern Tour
Sunday, December 10 / 4:30 - 7 PM

The MHS Holiday Lantern Tour is a journey through time to glimpse a period in Madison’s history. Together with local students, volunteers, and board trustees, we offer lantern-lit tours each December, featuring all-new stories from Madison's past.

In 2019 visitors were transported to the year 1862 when the nation was locked in a civil war. Stories of courage, hope, and healing were recounted as tour guides led groups around the green and into several historic homes. In 2022, the tour of Madison's downtown transported participants to the 1920s. At that time, many Main Street businesses were owned and operated by immigrants, women activists were fighting for the right to vote, Prohibition was the law of the land, and the trolley system brought leisure travelers to our small town.

Guided Groups Leave Every Thirty Minutes

Guides will lead small groups every thirty minutes, beginning at 4:30 pm. Visitors cover roughly a half-mile, traveling on foot over various terrains for the duration of the tour. For this event, visitors are strongly encouraged to dress warmly and wear appropriate footwear, whether we have rain or clear skies. There is no rain date.

Beginning at Lee’s Academy, the tour makes several brief stops and concludes with a warm fire and refreshments at the Allis-Bushnell House. The tour may take visitors through the downtown area or around the historic town green to learn about important people and events from Madison’s rich history. Our goal is to deepen participants' appreciation for our shared past and foster a sense of commitment to supporting and protecting our town’s cultural heritage. 

Important Visitor Information

Tickets are $18 for adults ($12 for MHS members) and $5 for children ages 5-17. They can be purchased online at www.madisonhistory.org or by calling 203.245.4567. The tour is recommended for children aged 5 and older.