JULY AT THE RED HOUSE OFFERS SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION FLAG COLLECTION, MUSIC, HISTORICAL ENCAMPMENTS, AND MORE!

On Saturday, July 4, from 1-5p.m. the Red House Interpretive Center is very proud to welcome veterans and active military to tour the Red House for free! The Sons of the American Revolution will display a very special collection of 27 American flags, dating from June 14, 1777 thru 2008, which was purchased for the Sons of the American Revolution Allen Laws Oliver Chapter in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, from Herb Nance. Money for this purchase was donated by Painter's Union 1292 in 2004.

On Saturday, July 11, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Henry Hinton will bring his music to the Red House! Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs for the concert. Henry says of his music, "Early in my marriage I expressed an interest in the Guitar, which I knew nothing about and my wife surprised me with one that I still use. I bought a few books with Guitar chords and songs, took a small number of lessons when I lived in Dexter and took off from there. My song writing started when my son and I and two of my son-in-laws took a week long trip from Gettysburg down through Virginia to visit several battlefield sites, for we all had interest. After our trip my son knowing I played the Guitar told me I should write a song about the Civil war. I thought about that comment and started to write about some of the events that took place toward the end of the war and came up with a song called "unconditional Surrender" which was my first song to write. Since then I have written seven songs on various subjects. I play and sing some Folk songs, however I have several songs that I enjoy from the 50's and 60's."

Area organizations looking for a great program are invited to contact the Cape Girardeau CVB for special tours of the Red House! Area schools are invited to tour the Center as well. The Red House is a great history lesson for students of all ages. Saturdays offer special "extra's" for visitors such as historical encampments by Lucas Beine on the first Saturday of each month. Adam Koehler demonstrates how to create arrowheads on the first Saturday also. On the first and third Saturdays of each month Rose Mary Oxley offers free dulcimer lessons -- given on the Red House porch. For more information please call Rose Mary at 334-3689 or email her at strummingrose@charter.net. Every fourth Saturday Cape Girardeau storyteller Dean Allison will be the Red House with tales to entertain children of all ages!

The nationally recognized Red House Interpretive Center of Cape Girardeau is now open to receive visitors from 1-5p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays. The Red House also offers special group tours by contacting the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau -- call (573) 335-1631. Visitors will be greeted by docents in period dress who will tell the Red House Story. Cost of admission is $3 per adult and $1 per student.

Lewis and Clark visited Cape Girardeau in November of 1803 and Meriwether Lewis visited Cape Girardeau's founder, Louis Lorimier, at his home "The Red House." The nationally recognized Red House Interpretive Center commemorates this visit and also houses an early 1800's exhibit which reflects the lives of the early settlers of the "Old Cape Girardeau District. The Center features a representation of the Louis Lorimier Trading Post and displays authentic items which would have been sold during the early 1800's. Visitors will see the river as it may have looked in 1803 thru the eyes of a local artist. The 250' river mural is the backdrop for the Red House Interpretive Center. Visitors will also enjoy the gardens surrounding the Red House which feature herbs and flowers which may have been grown in 1803.

The gift shop offers items such as copies of the Lewis and Clark journal written for November 23, 1803, books about the expedition, the Stephen Ambrose book, Undaunted Courage, Red House Postcards, Red House note cards, handmade historical items, historically related toys, tools, and other items.

The public is invited to spend the day in downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri, "Where the river turns a thousand tales," and where they will be able to see the Red House Interpretive Center, the Glenn House, the Cape River Heritage Museum and the Old St. Vincent's Church! Special group tours are available by contacting the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau 573- 3351631.