The old-fashioned joys of a 19th century Christmas, Maryland style, can be experienced at Homewood through Dec. 23.

The classically styled federal mansion, once the home of Charles Carroll Jr. and now owned by the Johns Hopkins University, will be filled with garlands and greenery, and holiday music will drift through its gracefully proportioned, antiques-filled rooms.

The house was built by Carroll in the first years of the 1800s, on land given him as a wedding present by his father, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The younger Carroll spent the then-astronomical sum of $40,000 on the house, which combined Georgian architecture with interior detailing inspired by the fashionable London designs of Robert Adam.

"Candlelight Evenings at Homewood," a holiday open house with continuous tours, will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow and Tuesday. Live music will be performed on period instruments, and the house will be decorated to recall the Christmases of the Carrolls' era.

Tickets may be purchased at the door, and cost $4 for adults, $3 for young people under 18 and $2 for members. For reservations, call (410) 516-5589.

Daytime tours will be given on the hour, from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, throughout the holiday season. Tickets are $5, $2.50 for students, free for members.

The Homewood shop and holiday boutique will also be open Sundays to Fridays, offering gifts items ranging from stocking stuffers to museum reproductions.

Homewood is located on the campus of the Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St. For more information on "Holidays at Homewood," call (410) 516-5589.