So, you’re interested in becoming a House Tour host.

The House Tour started in 1972, when Summit Avenue was in a slump and old buildings were in danger of being torn down. Today it is one of the most popular historic tours in the nation and serves as a major fundraiser for the Summit Hill and Ramsey Hill Associations. And it wouldn’t be possible without homeowners like you!

Our volunteer team works hard to make sure our Hosts are well supported throughout the event. See below for an overview of what to expect and please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

What to Expect As a Host

If your home is selected to be part of the tour, the House Tour Committee will reach out and set up a walkthrough of your home to discuss volunteer needs, space logistics, and answer any questions you have. We do our best to coordinate these visits to bring along our photographer and historian who will be taking photos and notes for the ticket book.

A volunteer will be your dedicated point of contact from the beginning of the planning process until the tour is over.

Tour tickets are purchased ahead of time and picked up in the neighborhood the day of the event.

The tours are self-guided, so participants choose their own route and stops, but volunteers will be stationed at each of the locations to help facilitate and guide everyone. Shuttle buses circulate among houses on the tour. Each house has a House Captain (lead volunteer) and room volunteers to answer questions and ensure proper tour procedure is being followed.

As a host, you’ll receive:

  • A complete personalized house history and professional photos of your home.

  • Invitation to the exclusive volunteer party (includes heavy appetizers, hosted bar, and a recognition program).

  • Hardcover coffee table book featuring all of the homes on the tour for that year.

  • Any other necessary arrangements upon agreement between the House Tour Committee and homeowners to ensure your participation experience is as smooth as possible.

Sign up

FAQs

  • 10 am - 6pm.

  • Typically, we sell between 1,800-2,500 tickets with between 1,500-2,000 individuals visiting each home.

  • The Summit Hill Association holds an umbrella policy and our regular general liability which covers up to $2,000,000. Any valuables can be removed from the home as the homeowner wishes. Our volunteers are situated so that everything and everyone is very closely monitored. We will work closely with you to understand your wishes and requests for tour flow inside your home. For example, we can block off rooms with a cord so that people can just see into a certain room instead of entering it.

    Believe it or not in all the years we've been hosting the House Tour, there has never been a problem with theft or breakage. We’ll work hard to continue to employ the same standards for this upcoming tour.