Where Past Meets Present

Lincoln-Tallman House Christmas exterior lights

Ceremony to Mark First-Ever Lighting of Lincoln-Tallman House Exterior

Janesville, WI — For the first time in history, the exterior of both the Lincoln-Tallman House and the Tallman Carriage House will be illuminated with flood lighting, beginning on November 29. A ceremony to mark the event will be held at 7 p.m. on the Rock County Historical Society campus at 440 N. Jackson Street, Janesville. All are invited.

The lighting of the buildings corresponds to the first day of the Holiday Tree Show at the Lincoln-Tallman House, at which more than 40 creatively decorated trees will light up every room inside the home. Local businesses, nonprofits and individuals sponsored and adorned the Christmas trees for 21 days of tours from November 29 – December 30.

The exterior lighting plan, designed by Westphal Electric, was funded through a grant from the Tallman Charitable Trust.

This November also marks the 150th anniversary of the Tallman family lighting their home with gasoliers for the first time. In November of 1869, natural gas was piped to the Tallman house, allowing them to have more sophisticated lighting during the evening hours. 

For more information on the Holiday Tree Show, visit www.rchs.us/event/. Or, call the Rock County Historical Society at 608-756-4509.

Home to six uniquely different historic sites on a 3.5-acre campus in the historic Look West Neighborhood, the Rock County Historical Society’s mission is to bridge past and present through capturing and sharing stories about Rock County, Wisconsin. Its sites include the award-winning Lincoln-Tallman House, Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center, Charles Tallman Archives, Tallman Carriage House, Wilson-King Stone House, and the Frances Willard Schoolhouse.