Just in time for decorating for the holiday season — or if you are looking for a special gift to share — St. Joseph's Home of Springfield offers its 22nd annual city ornament for sale. The 2014 ornament, the first-ever to be available in color, features The Pasfield House Inn.
The Pasfield House Inn, which is located at 525 S. Pasfield St. in the shadow of the Illinois State Capitol, is a Classic Georgian Revival house. Built in 1896 for George Pasfield Jr., as a gift just before his wedding, it has been restored and now serves as a bed and breakfast and as a wedding reception and party venue.
Each year St. Joseph's Home chooses an artist to create the ornament, according to Lauren Acton, director of development for St. Joseph's Home. This year's ornament was designed by Springfield artist Thom Whalen, a professor at Lincoln Land Community College, studio artist and graphic designer who is recognized both locally and nationally.
"Actually, this is Thom's third ornament for us. He has been suggesting that we add color to the ornament," said Acton. "This year, more than any other, it really fits the design. The Pasfield House, with the colors around it, is just stunning."
The ornaments are 24-karat gold plate. Each ornament comes in a velvet collector's box and is accompanied by a signed and numbered certificate with a brief historical description of the featured event or landmark.
The ornaments cost $30 when they are purchased at the St. Joseph's Home office at 3306 S. Sixth Street Road (phone (217) 529-5596) or cost $32 at the following places: The Pasfield House Inn, Bank of Springfield, Heartland Credit Union, Pease's Candy Shops, Vono Medical Supplies, Wild Birds Unlimited, Illinois State Museum, Pleasant Nursery, St. John's Hospital gift shop, and the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. The ornaments can also be purchased on-line at www.saintjosephshome.org.
Many of the past ornaments are now retired, but some are still for sale at St. Joseph's Home. Ornaments from past years that are still available are 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The ornament that depicted the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (2009) was one of the most popular and sold out very quickly, Acton said.
She said the ornament project continues to bring in funds that benefit the mission and ministries of St. Joseph's Home, which is administrated by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception. People of all religious beliefs are welcome at the home, which strives to provide the aging and their families with individualized and compassionate care.
"As of today, we have raised over $850,000 for the home through the ornament series," Acton said. "It has been such a blessing to our residents to have a project that has been this successful for 22 years."