East Hampton - Unknowing visitors to East Hampton on Saturday, November 28 might have wondered if the residents of this historic village had a habit of wandering around town in clusters of seemingly unrelated groups. In truth it was the occasion of the 25th Annual East Hampton Historical Society House and Garden Tour and the event, as usual, drew hundreds of attendees in support of this important organization dedicated to historic preservation and education.

A house tour can mean a barefoot walk through the home, clean socks and Birkenstocks are not a bad idea.

Co-Chairs Jim Oxnam and Chip Rae, along with their 35 volunteers did a stellar job managing the car traffic to and from and the foot traffic in, out and through the six homes featured on this year's tour. One might think considering the organization that the tour benefits that all these homes have historical significance and date back to East Hampton's Revolutionary era heritage, not so. The oldest home on the tour was "Wayside" on Ocean Avenue, transformed over the years, but originally constructed in 1888 in a Dutch farmhouse style.

"Wayside" was originally the home of Dr. and Mrs. George Monroe, a prominent physician practicing in both Manhattan and East Hampton. Upon purchasing the property they moved the 1750 Saltbox home of the original landowners, the Fithian family, around the corner to Pudding Lane. Apparently the concept of "teardowns" was thankfully not yet as prevalent in the turn of the 19th century mentality of East Hampton residents as it is today.

Although most of the homes are not historic, the beautifully designed tour guide book, which also serves as the ticket for admission into the homes, eloquently relates the historical facts and antidotes related to the areas of East Hampton in which the homes were built. Biographical notes to previous and present owners are included in the pages, along with references to former structures that may have occupied the properties when appropriate. It also provides architectural and interior design commentary relating to the half dozen homes on this year's tour.

This unique contemporary overlooks the links of the Maidstone Club.

Detailed instructions were given as to the location of the homes along with an easy to follow map. I would say that four of the six homes can be visited by foot, but you would definitely have to have a healthy constitution. In truth with the exception of the first house just around the corner from the historic Clinton Academy staging area on Main Street, most attendees drove to each location. Interior photography was understandably not permitted and you must be prepared on tours like this to take your shoes off at some of the homes before entering, particularly on inclement days. Birkenstocks and clean socks are not a bad idea.

The youngest of the houses on the tour was a French Norman villa at Accabonac Lane. The owner, former McGraw Hill graphic designer and present well known East End landscape designer Craig Socia served as his own architect, contractor and, obviously, landscape artist for this absolutely stunning 2002 construction.

This home on Middle Lane has 20 rooms and an expansive back lawn.

Two of the homes are particularly contemporary in structural design. The home on Oyster Pond Road has an all together Northern California feel to it and was originally constructed in 1970. The interior spatial uniqueness of the home on Highway Behind The Pond, overlooking the links of the Maidstone Club, is nothing short of amazing.

Although not an interior design expert, none of the homes seemed to have a prevailing design theme consistent throughout, but reflected in all their richness the diversity of taste and style of each of the owners. Although the last home I mentioned did have a distinctive 1970s retro feel to it for me and a particularly bright color palette, I might be totally wrong in interpreting the designer and homeowner's intentions.

My personal favorite house on the tour was the home on Middle Lane. Built in 1931, the house is 135 feet long and contains 20 rooms. The grounds are simply magnificent with an expansive back lawn that frames a pool, Jacuzzi, hidden patio and pond. I can only imagine how beautiful it must look in the spring. The center hall entry was regal and the main dining room had warm rich woods and was classically formal.

Needless to say, each home was a wonderful look into the period furniture, art and color tastes of the generous individuals that surrendered their privacy in support of this worthy fund raiser.

The historic Clinton Academy was the starting point of the East Hampton Historical Society House and Garden Tour.