The Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL) will sponsor a community open house during the holiday festivities planned in downtown Baton Rouge in early December. The public is invited to visit the Old Governor's Mansion at 502 North Boulevard for a free Holiday Open House on Friday, December 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. A donation of canned goods for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank will be collected at the event.

The landmark mansion will be decorated for the holidays through underwriting by LUBA Workers Compensation. Of special interest to parents and grandparents will be a visit from the Mansion's own Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Children may relay their wishes and have a color photo taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus against the back drop of the East Room fireplace for a cost of $10. The photos will be printed and families may pick them up within minutes.

In addition, small children are invited to take a ride on the "Mansion Snowball Express" for an excursion to Galvez Plaza, which will be a pick up and drop off point for mansion visitors. Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas!