After a nine-year hiatus, the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce is bringing back its Lantern Light House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 14.
As Chamber Director of Operations Barbara Ransome explains, the event relies on homeowners' willingness to open their historic homes for public viewing. Following COVID-19, volunteers were in short supply, but this year, the spirit of hospitality is shining once again.
“We haven’t had one in nine years, and we’re very excited to bring it back online, and we hope that there’s a revival of the enthusiasm for people to see these historic homes,” Ransome told The South Shore Press.
She emphasized that the Chamber’s event differs significantly from the candlelight tour in Stony Brook, run by the Three Village Historical Society, as the Chamber must solicit private homes for participation.
This year, the tour will run from 5-8 p.m. and feature three holiday-decorated homes: one of the few examples of Second Empire architecture in the village at 301 High St.; a pre-Civil War Victorian home at 401 High St.; and a sample of Italianate architecture at 122 Prospect St. All are within walking distance of each other.
Additionally, there will be an outdoor hospitality stop with hot beverages and snacks at 112 Prospect St., which is not open for indoor viewing as the Victorian home is under restoration by its new owners.
The Mather House Museum at 115 Prospect St. will also be open that evening, with its circa 1840 Greek Revival-style consignment shop available for browsing.
Tickets for the Lantern Light House Tour are $40 and help raise funds for the Chamber.
Ransome also highlights a “new level of excitement this year,” with event ticket bundles available. For instance, Cheers to the Holidays, a cocktail party at Danfords, offers unlimited craft beers, wine, an international fruit and cheese platter, and hors d’oeuvres. For $75, attendees can enjoy both the home tour (from 5-7 p.m.) and the party (7-8 p.m.).
For those seeking an even more immersive experience, a $100 ticket includes the holiday house tour, admission to A Christmas Carol (a two-hour show with a 3 p.m. curtain), and chocolate treats and hot chocolate at Kilwins in Port Jefferson from 6-8 p.m.
For more details and sign-up information, visit the Chamber’s website at https://portjeffchamber.com/.