East Hampton - The East Hampton Historical Society is proud to announce their 2011 House Tour, showcasing some of the finest examples of historic and modern architecture in the Hamptons. This year's tour - comprised of five unique homes - is scheduled for Saturday, November 26, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. A kick-off cocktail party on the evening of Friday, November 25, welcomes in this year's highly anticipated House Tour. This annual event, now in its 27th year, is traditionally held over Thanksgiving weekend, ringing in the East End holiday season!

Something For Everyone
Whether you tend toward the charm of a classic, historic East Hampton "cottage" or the clean lines of a contemporary house, this year's tour has an enchanting combination of homes that are sure to delight!

"How does the East Hampton Historical Society select homes for their annual house tour?" asks Richard Barons, Executive Director of the East Hampton Historical Society. "We believe it is the mix of architectural styles - from the turn of the century to today - that gives East Hampton its unique character and flavor. Our community has the added benefit of having wonderfully diverse architectural styles that span several centuries. Our house tour committee has once again outdone themselves in identifying five different yet complementary homes that design enthusiasts and people who want a 'look inside' East Hampton will find of interest on this year's house tour," Barons further explains.

Of particular note is the awe-inspiring home of this year's kick-off Cocktail Party, the historic Charles H. Adams House. Located in East Hampton Village, this jaw-dropping Queen Anne style home was designed by William B. Tuthill, the architect of Carnegie Hall, and built in 1891. This traditional East Hampton "cottage" is probably the largest of the summer cottages built in the 1880s and 1890s. Designed in the ornate Queen Anne style, it features an asymmetric façade, a round tower, a front porch extending the length of the house, second-and third-story porches, spindlework and columns, and patterned wood shingles - the consummate crowd-pleaser!

In addition to being the site of the Opening Night Cocktail Party, the Charles H. Adams House is also one of the five unique homes included on the self-guided 2011 East Hampton House Tour. Located South of the Highway are two additional historic homes. Both built before the-turn-of-the century, a unique home on historic Huntting Lane is drenched in local history and a Federal style home located in the affluent Georgica Beach area was decorated by a prominent East End interior designer. A contemporary home, built in the traditional shingle style, is an example of this enduring East End architectural vernacular. Modern home enthusiasts will delight at the clean lines of a house that embraces the 21st century. Located just outside of East Hampton Village this modern home incorporates cutting-edge sustainable design technology with clean, crisp modern design aesthetics.

In accordance with tradition, the exact locations of these private homes will be revealed to ticket-holders the weekend of the event, thus building heightened anticipation and excitement for avid home enthusiasts. "We thought we had a real challenge this year coming up with an interesting mix of homes to rival last year's tour," says Joseph Aversano, Chair of the event. "Our committee started work in August, and the mix this year exceeds all our expectations!"

Tickets to the Opening Night Cocktail Party start at $150 and include entry to the tour the following day. Tickets to the House Tour are $65 in advance and $75 on the day of the tour. Both are on sale via EHHS office at 101 Main Street, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 631-324-6850, or at Clinton Academy, 151 Main Street, on Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

This year's house tour is made possible in part through the generous support of Hamptons Cottages & Gardens magazine.