Tour Highlights
Margaret Nocera
After a dreary, rainy Saturday, we were rewarded with a crisp, dry, sunny Sunday; the perfect weather for our 16th Holiday House Tour.

With booklets in hand, our participants started touring the homes at 12 noon.  Playing in the background of the Brooke home, an original Havemeyer home built in the late 1800’s, was holiday music recorded by the owner.  Two Marines stood guard as they accepted toys for the USMC'sToys for Tots” program. 

The Hart home had the unique feature of two entrance doors in the section built in 1780; one door for the gentlemen, the other for the ladies. 

The Holwell home, built in the early 1900’s by the Raynor family, showcased the family’s love of maritime artifacts and artwork. 

The Kreutzer home is located on their son’s property, known as Twifere, and was the gardener’s cottage.  It has been lovingly restored by the owner for his parents. 

Ticket holders were greeted at the Foley-O’Boyle home with the delicious smells of cookies being baked by one of their daughters.

After touring the homes and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, tour participants entered the gaily decorated Fenton Hall, where the reception was held.  Coffee, tea and hot chocolate were served as well as cookies baked by both the BOCES Culinary Arts students and the Islip Middle and High School Career students. 

Entertainment was provided by the harmonious voices of Chapter 4 Barbershop Quartet.  Our Main Street merchants and various members outdid themselves with their donations for our Chinese auction; there were over 90 prizes!

The Society would like to thank the various board and house tour committee members for another outstanding tour.  We are also grateful for all the volunteers who come out and help us on ‘tour day’; getting the costumes for the guides, running the reception, the auction, kitchen, society table and 50/50 raffle.

Thank you, also, to Karen Schill for her wonderful drawings, which are presented to the homeowners, and Lori Zegel, of Nook & Cranny Gift Boutique and Linda Low of Little Shop of Shamrocks for handling our ticket sales.  The house tour is a wonderful way to start the holiday season.
Est. 1992 Historical Society of Islip Hamlet