Ever wonder what Christmas was like here in time of Lincoln?

You and your family can share that experience at free open houses at the Tanner House Museum in Aurora will find a variety of decor this December.

A child and her grandmother admire the tree in a children’s bedroom in 2014.

In addition to colorful traditional decorations throughout, the 1857 home itself will be featured as an authentically-built, to-scale gingerbread house in the kitchen, and in the library, tiny elf-aliens will be delivering gifts from a spaceship parked outside a dollhouse.

Also new this year will be the “photo booth” concept used in the parlor.

Visitors interested in taking selfies can dress up in vintage style with items provided by the Aurora Historical Society.  Docents will be available to snap the shutter.  A century-old view camera will be on display.

The open houses begin Sunday, Dec. 9. Openings are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

The museum is located at 304 Oak Ave., at the corner of Oak and Cedar in Aurora. The last day of the program is Sunday, Dec. 30.

There is more information online at www.aurorahistory.net or on Facebook at aurorahistory.

SOURCE: Aurora Historical Society news release