Museum in Hatton, North Dakota, to host holiday tour of homes

Dec. 2—HATTON, North Dakota — The Hatton-Eielson Museum is once again hosting a tour of homes, a Christmastime tradition that has been canceled in recent years due to the pandemic, said Gary Lillemoen, the museum board president.

The tour of homes, which runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, will feature the homes of Betsy and Brock Brend, Tim and Cindy Skjoiten, Karen Ness, and Leon and Judy Stensland.

The Hatton-Eielson Museum and the four homes have been beautifully decorated to inspire visitors with new ideas to affordably decorate their own homes, Lillemoen said. It's all about "celebrating Christmas in its true tradition."

Tickets, $15 each, will be sold at the Museum, 405 Eielson St. A map with the homes' addresses will be provided and refreshments will be served. Proceeds from the event will go toward the building's maintenance and heating expenses.

The museum "is completely decorated for Christmas," Lillemoen said. It also features a display about Gilman Rud, who had "a tremendous career with the Blue Angels."

Rud, who was born and raised in Portland, North Dakota, has released a book, titled "From the Prairie to the Pacific: A Blue Angel's Journey," about his experience as a pilot of a U.S. Navy jet fighter, captain of a flagship aircraft carrier, and leader of the Blue Angels aerobatic display team.

"Aviation is kind of a tradition in this area," Lillemoen said. Famed aviator Carl Ben Eielson grew up in the home that now houses the Hatton-Eielson Museum. Eielson "was a real hero" of Rud's, he said.

The annual Christmas tour of homes has been very well attended by local residents as well as visitors from surrounding communities, Lillemoen said.

"It's a good way to celebrate the happiest time of the year," he said.