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The 1855 Folsom House Museum, in Taylors Falls, is decorated for Christmas and open to the public this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 3, 4 and 5, between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. This lovely large home is enhanced by area unique designers and shops using Taylors Falls’ Lighting Festival theme, so every year it is different. The 2004 theme is "Toys and Games.”

Designers from A & A Collections, St. Paul; Bon Trésor, Bench Street Antiques & Mercantile and WID Enterprise from Taylors Falls; Mary Berg of Lindstrom; Donna Carlson, Osceola and Forget Me Not Floral & Gifts, St. Croix Falls have created charming and inviting rooms using this holiday theme.

Coming to the house at this holiday season is like coming to a party. At this season you enjoy the house, music and trimmings at your leisure. During the summer season there are guided tours. Prearranged groups are invited to see the house any time through December 5 by calling 651-465-3125.

Over the years, families visit the Folsom House Museum as part of their holiday tradition. The house itself is reminiscent of New England style homes familiar to the town’s early Yankee settlers. Five generations of Folsoms lived in the house between 1855 and l968 when it was bought by the Minnesota State Historical Society as one of its interpretive sites. The house is located at 272 W. Government Street in the Angel Hill Historic District, one half block up the hill from the old railroad depot Memorial Community Center.

The Taylors Falls Historical Society manages the house on a day-to-day basis. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students ages 6-12.

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