Christmas is here at the David Davis Mansion.  (WJBC file photo)

By Zach Dietmeier

BLOOMINGTON - With the holiday shopping craze taking full effect, tomorrow may be the perfect opportunity to visit the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington.

While many state facilities are closed for an extended holiday weekend, the mansion is open for tours. Starting Friday, the mansion will be on its regular schedule all the way through Sunday.

"All state of Illinois historic sites are open through the weekend," said Mansion Director Marcia Young. "We are actually open all day Friday, all day Saturday, all day Sunday."

You can expect a different look to the mansion through the holiday season, with more ornaments, more trees, and a different arrangement.

"We will be completely decorated for Christmas," said Young. "Every room of the house that visitors will see is decorated, and we must have at least 19 to 20 trees throughout the house."

Christmas trees will be lit, music will fill the rooms, and Victorian candy samples will be available.

"We really try to put on a show for all the senses, because that's what the Victorians did in the 19th century when they started celebrating Christmas sort of in the way we know it today," said Young.

If you're looking for the famous Peppermint Pig and Chocolate Cockroach, Young said they will also be on display all throughout the holiday season. The David Davis Mansion will be open Friday through Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

Zach Dietmeier can be reached at zach.dietmeier@cumulus.com.