Event: Christmas home tour, including home of former slave with ties to Limestone County.

Time: 1-4:45 p.m. Sunday, with concert at 5:15 p.m.

Place: Elkton, Tenn.

Tickets: $10 for adults; three for $25; children ages 15 and under admitted free with ticket holder. Available the day of the tour at the Elkton Community Room on Main Street or any tour location.

Map: Map provided with tickets or go online to www.elktonhistory.net for printable map.

For more information: Leave a message with the Elkton Historical Society at (931) 468-0674.

Slave home to be part of Christmas tour in Elkton

The home of a slave with ties to Limestone County will be part of Sunday's annual Christmas home tour in Elkton, Tenn.

Matt Gardner was born into slavery in 1847, owned by a Limestone County merchant, bought land, built a homestead, launched the first school for blacks in Elkton and served as a minister and businessman.

A museum commemorating his life will open in September 2009. His house is one of six stops on the tour.

The event, which begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 4:45 p.m., shows visitors 200 years of architectural styles in southern Giles County. A fee concert of carols will follow the tour. The tour, hosted by the Elkton Historical Society and the City of Elkton, is the final celebration of the town's 200th anniversary.