Community support keeps Bryant Cottage open and holiday tradition alive

BEMENT - Community support is keeping the Bryant Cottage State Historic Site open to the public, and as a result a Bement Christmas tradition for more than 30 years lives on as a Christmas tree decorated by local first graders will be publicly displayed December 6 - 31 in the main lobby of the State Bank of Bement at 180 E. Bodman. The tree, donated by Roux-Hinds Funeral Home, may be viewed Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Although the tree is normally displayed at Bryant Cottage during the site's Christmas Open House, state budget reductions have forced the cancellation of that event this year. However, Bryant Cottage will remain open for public tours four days a week due to support from the Bement community, avoiding a scheduled closure November 30.

The ornaments adorning the tree are made by first grade students at Bement Elementary School, and at the conclusion of the display these ornaments will be returned to the children to hang on their own family trees in the future. The students learn about Christmas traditions, pioneer customs and Bement history as they design and make their own decorations.

Bryant Cottage State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is located at 146 E. Wilson Street in Bement. It will remain open Thursday through Sunday for free public tours.