PORTLAND — In the 19th century, the residents of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House in Portland would probably not have had a Christmas tree.

But Anne Longfellow Pierce, younger sister of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, might have taken her 10-year-old nephew to visit the tree at nearby First Parish Church.

“She would have made sure that he had a couple presents to open,” Kathleen Neumann, curator of education and public programs, said. “They would have maybe had friends and family over for special food. So in those respects, not very different from what we do today.”

Many historic destinations in Maine decorate and host special programs just for the holidays, even if they are closed for most of the winter. Here are a few of the displays that will take you back in time to Christmases past.

‘CHRISTMAS BELLS’ RINGING

To the 21st century visitor, Neumann said, the decorations at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House might seem a little underwhelming. One of the poet’s most famous works is “Christmas Bells,” but the season was different then.

“Christmas was not really a big deal,” she explained.

The decorations might have been greenery or oranges dotted with cloves. The family might have eaten turkey or even oysters as a celebratory meal. Adults would have given small gifts to children, such as knitted items or books or dominos. One year, Anne Longfellow Pierce made more than a dozen mince pies. (Perhaps she sent one to her brother in Cambridge, Neumann suggested.)

The Wadsworth-Longfellow House is offering holiday tours where visitors might learn about the traditions for the residents of the time.

“It’s a time of year that we’re often looking towards nostalgia and tradition,” Neumann said. “Inviting people in to see how people did this a long time ago, whether it’s 100 or 200 or 250 years ago, can be a reminder of connections that we share across the past.”

The remaining tour dates are Dec. 13 and 20. Admission is $25 for Maine Historical Society members, $35 for adults, $15 for kids ages 6 to 17 and $10 for 5 and under. Ticketholders also get a coupon for 10% off in the museum store on the day of their visit. The museum is also hosting an event on Dec. 13 with cultural historian Pamela McColl, who will talk about the stories and poems of 250 years of Christmas. See mainehistory.org or call 207-774-1822 for more details.

A ‘COLONIAL CHRISTMAS’

In 1775, the Revolutionary War was underway. In October, British naval forces bombarded Portland, then called Falmouth. More than 400 buildings and houses were damaged or destroyed, and more than 1,000 people became homeless.

What was Christmas like that year?

The wealthy Tate family lived up the Fore River, so their home was untouched by the blaze. Today, it is the only colonial-era building in Cumberland County open to the public. The Tate House Museum will host its traditional “A Colonial Christmas” on Dec. 13. The program changes every year, and this one focuses specifically on what was happening in 1775 in recognition of the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.

“Our mission is to invite everyone to experience 18th-century life in Maine,” executive director Holly Hurd said.

Docents in period costumes will tell stories in every room. Guests will have a chance to try popular food and drink of the era, and they can even burn tea in a firepit as many colonists did in protest at the time.

The program starts at noon, and guests can move independently from room to room to see the re-enactors until 4 p.m. Last admission is 3:30 p.m. The Stroudwater Neighborhood Association will host a tree lighting with carols and refreshments from 4-6 p.m.

Admission is free for children under 6, $12 for older kids, $18 for adults and $45 for a family of four. Tickets are available online or at the door. For details and discounts, visit tatehouse.org.

A THEATRICAL SETTING

Giuseppe Guidicini decorated grand 19th-century theaters and opera houses — and painted the trompe l’oeil decorations in the Victoria Mansion in Portland. So perhaps it is fitting that the house hosts ballet dancers every winter.

“It’s such a perfect inspiration because each room is a fantasy,” said Melissa Yaverbaum, executive director of Portland Ballet. “The house itself has a lot of theatricality to it. It plays out really beautifully to an architectural parallel to what happens in Act Two of story.”

For more than 30 years, the Victoria Mansion and the Portland Ballet have partnered on a unique version of a classic holiday story. “A Victorian Nutcracker” sets the opening scenes of the ballet at the mansion. The characters are based on the extended Morse family, who built the home. For example, Clara becomes Olivia, named for niece Olive.

That long partnership inspired the designers for this year’s holiday display at the mansion. They watched videos of the dancers and saw the costumes. In turn, the dancers visited the museum to learn more about the history that inspired their performance. They also perform excerpts from the full show at the mansion on select dates in December.

Staci Hanscom, director of education and public programs at the Victoria Mansion, said the theme leans more ballet than “The Nutcracker.” There’s soft pinks and tulle, and dress forms bear re-creations of period outfits that might have been worn by the characters who come to life in the Portland Ballet story.

“They really played into the flow and the movement,” Hanscom said.

The style is certainly more contemporary than what the Morse or Libby families would have done when they lived. But Hanscom said the goal is to introduce people to the mansion and invite them to come back in the regular season to see more.

The Victoria Mansion is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday through Jan. 4, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Tickets for self-guided tours are free for members, free for children under 5, $6 for children 6 to 17, $8 for college students, $17.25 for seniors and $19.25 for adults. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekends. For more details, including a schedule of performances at the mansion by Portland Ballet, visit victoriamansion.org or call 207-772-4841.

ALL ABOARD

Travel on the rails to the olden days.

The Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport is running Christmas Prelude rides for one more weekend on Dec. 12-14. Visitors can ride in heated trolleys on the private heritage railroad, visit the new model railroad building and sip hot chocolate with marshmallows.

The ride is roughly 25 minutes, and the museum is open from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The trip is $14 per person, and free for children 2 and under who will be sitting on laps.

The museum is also hosting a special event on Dec. 10-11 called “Santa’s Magical Trolley Ride,” which includes a story for visitors. Pajamas are encouraged. Tickets are $25 per person, and free for children 2 and under. Advance registration is required.

For more information, visit trolleymuseum.org or call 207-967-2800.

The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum is hosting a Victorian Christmas that includes a train ride through Sheepscot Valley to visit Santa Claus. Guests stop in Alna Center for 40 minutes to see Santa Claus, make a Christmas ornament, sip hot chocolate by the bonfire and shop from local vendors at a holiday market. The train returns them to the station at 97 Cross Road in Alna.

The entire experience lasts one hour and 15 minutes. Remaining dates are Dec. 13 and 20 with multiple departure times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $19.75 for adults and $9.75 for youth. Children 3 and under get in free. For more information, visit wwfry.org or call 207-882-4193.