East Hampton - The East Hampton Historical Society announced its 2009 House and Garden Tour, showcasing some of the finest examples of traditional and modern architecture on the East End. This year's tour - comprised of six unique homes, most with extensive gardens - is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 28 (1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) with a kick-off cocktail party on Friday, November 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A French Norman villa with extensive formal garden on the edge of East Hampton village. The property is home to one of the East End's leading landscape designers.

Something For Everyone
Whether you favor the charm of a classic, historic East Hampton "cottage" or the clean lines of a contemporary beach house, this year's tour has homes that are sure to delight. Included are a recently renovated hilltop contemporary with Three Mile Harbor water views, a stately 1931 Aymar Embury II Colonial Revival estate on Further Lane, an 1889 Dutch gambrel shingle compound on Ocean Avenue, a 1972 Hardy, Holtzman, and Pfieffer contemporary overlooking the Maidstone Golf course, and a European villa set among lush English gardens.

"Why does the East Hampton Historical Society choose to include modern architecture along with historic on our annual house tour?" comments 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. This Hampton village has the added benefit of having wonderfully diverse architectural styles that span from the historic to the moder day. Our house tour committee has once again outdone themselves in identifying six 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 and garden tour," Barons further explains.

The main house is part of a three-house compound on the edge of East Hampton village.

Of particular note is the elegant country home and garens, "Hertenhof," of this year's kick-off cocktail party. Located in the Grace Estate, this traditional Georgian country residence on a six-acre site was completed in 2000. The house's owners, interior designers Peter van Hattum and Harold Simmons, have graciously agreed to open their home in hosting this year's cocktail party. The house, which is only available for touring during the cocktail party, reflects the owners' love of English, French, and Dutch antiques combined with modern touches.

Tickets to the House and Garden Tour are $65 in advance and $75 on the day of the tour. Tickets to the cocktail party are $150 and include entry to the tour the following day. All tickets may be purchased by calling the East Hampton Historical Society office at 631-324-6850, or by visiting www.easthamptonhistory.org.

This year's House Tour is made possible in part through the support of Tiffany & Co.

The front façade of Furtherfield, a remarkably preserved seven-acre estate.