You can tour elegant Maple Street as it once was in its heyday, write your own “Top Ten” of Battle Creek history or learn about the origins of many of our favorite Christmas customs - all at the fall series of Heritage Monday Night programs. The programs begin at 6:00 p.m. and are held at Kimball House Museum, 196 Capital Avenue NE, unless otherwise noted. Advance reservations are suggested, by calling the Heritage Battle Creek Research Center, 966-4157. The programs are free for members of the Historical Society of Battle Creek. The fee for non-members is $5.00. Memberships are available at the door.

The Heritage Monday Night series will mark Sojourner Truth Month on November 14 with a program featuring area descendants of the famous African American ex-slave and abolitionist lecturer. Collections of Truth memorabilia will be on display and the redesigned Sojourner Truth exhibit room at Kimball House will be formally dedicated.

No era enjoyed decorating for Christmas more than the Victorians. Each year members of the Kimball House Advisory Committee carry on this tradition as they transform Kimball House into a 19th century Christmas wonderland. On November 28 you can join the fun. Come and decorate the tree with cornucopias and presents for children, hang holly and flowers from the chandeliers and drape the staircase with evergreen garlands. This is a relaxed evening of fellowship as the historic house is prepared for the coming holiday season.On December 12 Mary Butler will describe the “Victorian Christmas Traditions” which shape so many of the ways in which we celebrate the season today - from the carols we sing to the cards we send and the foods we serve for Christmas dinner. Surrounded by the lush decorations at Kimball House, you will enjoy this glimpse into the sentimental Victorian era which glorified the winter holiday season.