Comfort and Joy: Christmas in Olde New England
Saturday, November 29 at 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM
Saturday, December 6, 13, and 20 at 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM
“…the coal & wood are still burning warmly and tempt me to sit awhile longer…”
~ Anne Longfellow Pierce in a letter to her sister Mary on December 24, 1850
Looking to warm your hands and your heart this season? Keep a cozy and very merry holiday with us at MHS! Tour the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, fitted with the trimmings of a 19th century Christmas and learn about the New England holiday traditions of long ago. What yummy treats might the Longfellows have enjoyed this time of year? Did they hang stockings for St. Nicholas on Christmas eve? What games did they play and which songs did they sing? After touring the house, stop by our museum shop to find unique gifts for everyone on your list and receive a 10% discount on your purchases!
Tickets for these special holiday tours of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House include a guided tour of house and access to the MHS Museum Galleries. Tours are limited to 12 guests, will last approximately 45 minutes, and will depart from the Museum Store at 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM on Saturday, November 29 and Saturday, December 6, 13, and 20. Ticketholders will receive a 10% coupon good towards any purchases they make in the Museum Store on the day of their visit.
Cost: $25 for MHS members; $35 general admission adult; $15 general admission ages 6-17; $10 general admission ages 5 and younger
Location: Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland.
The tours begin promptly, leaving from the MHS Museum Store, lasting 45 minutes.
Unfortunately, guests ariving 10 mintues late or later may be unable to join a tour in progress
Tickets for these special holiday tours of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House include a guided tour of house and access to the MHS Museum Galleries. Ticketholders will receive a 10% coupon good towards any purchases they make in the Museum Store on the day of their visit.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online and may also be available in the Museum Store on the day of the tour (subject to availability).
Comfort & Joy is a special and limited-time program with unique ticket prices for MHS members and general admission. Reciprocal membership (ROAM, NARM, etc.) as well as the Museums For All and Blue Star Museum admission programs will not be honored for ticket purchases for Comfort & Joy.
Food and drink, and large personal items such as luggage and oversized bags are not permitted inside the House. Lockers are available, but limited in size and scope.
Tours leave from the MHS Museum Store at 489 Congress Street, Portland. Please note this is an in-person program and will not be available via Zoom.
- If you require assistance, please call 207-774-1822 x 208. However, because in-person guests are our priority, you may need to leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible, but it may not be the same day.
- Non-flash photography is permitted but we ask guests to please be discreet and keep non-flash photography to a minimum during the tour. Video recording and/or flash photography is not permitted.
We kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for guest cancellations.
In the event that Maine Historical Society is closed because of a weather emergency or because of a pandemic-related emergency , all tours scheduled for that day are canceled. Such closures are posted on Maine Historical Society’s Facebook page. You can also call Maine Historical Society at 207-774-1822; if MHS is closed, there will be an automated message at that latter number no later than 7:30 AM ET. We highly recommend calling Maine Historical Society the day of your visit if you think there is a chance a weather emergency may impact operating hours.