The house Huey Long built in 1930 is trading politics for holiday cheer next month. The Louisiana Old Governor's Mansion will host Merry at the Mansion on Sunday, Dec. 6, from noon to 4 p.m., and the mansion's flyer lists both admission and parking as free.

Photos by the tree

The centerpiece is a family photo in front of the mansion's Christmas tree. A photographer will be on hand, and the mansion says the photos will be shared on its social media after the event. The flyer also promises Santa photos, so it's worth dressing the kids for the occasion.

Crafts in the East Room

Head to the East Room for hands-on holiday projects. Kids (and grown-ups) can decorate a picture frame to hold that family photo and design their own bookmark. For anyone curious about the building itself, docents will lead historical tours of the mansion during the afternoon.

A bookstore scavenger hunt

Local bookstores and publishers will set up throughout the house, which makes this a handy stop for holiday shopping. The partners are:

LSU Press

Cavalier House Books

TBR Books & Tea

Red Stick Reads

Every visitor gets a card to collect a stamp or signature from each bookstore. Turn in a completed card on your way out and you'll get a free goodie.

Good to know

Dec. 6 falls on the first Sunday of the month, when the mansion normally opens from noon to 4 p.m. On weekdays it's open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you can't make the party, the mansion's history page tells the story of how Long had the old Knox House torn down and pushed the new residence to completion within months in 1930.

Merry at the Mansion 502 North Blvd., Baton Rouge Sun., Dec. 6, noon-4 p.m. 225-342-9778

Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Old Governor's Mansion.