Five Questions for...Donna Curtin on the Hearth and Home Tour

1. Since this is the sixth annual Hearth and Home Tour, I assume that the previous five have been successful. What have people who've taken the tour told you they like about it?

People who’ve taken the tours in past years always seem excited to have learned something new about Plymouth by visiting a street or neighborhood that they’d never explored before. Plymouth is such a large town, even longtime residents don’t necessarily know every part of it, and we try to offer a geographic range as well as different kinds of houses for people to visit. It’s fun to come up with new surprises each year.

2. In the past, the homes have been a surprise, almost like a scavenger hunt for the attendees, complete with a map, is that the plan again this year?

Yes, the event does work somewhat like a scavenger hunt with a booklet of directions to track down properties.

3. What to the people who open their homes tell you about the tour?

It’s overwhelmingly positive. Most homeowners invest a great deal of work in preparing their homes; many of them tackle long-standing home projects and everyone spends lots of time sprucing up. They are usually eager and excited, but also a little nervous about sharing their home with the public. A day of having all that hard work appreciated becomes a real treat! Most of the home owners end up saying they enjoyed the experience far more than they expected. We hold a special thank you reception for the home owners at the end of the day so they can meet each other and swap stories.

4. What's your favorite part of doing the tour?

My favorite part of this event is planning for next year – whenever I drive by an interesting house, I think maybe they’d be willing to show their house on the Antiquarian tour!

5. How can people get tickets?     

We still have tickets available for this Saturday’s tour, available at the Hedge House, 126 Water Street. Please call 508-746-0012 or email pasm@verizon.net to make sure the office is open; our hours vary at this time of year.