Lambertville's annual Autumn House Tour needs homes to avoid being cancelled in 2019
Updated Aug 08, 2019; Posted Aug 07, 2019
Lambertville's annual Autumn House Tour
By Caroline Fassett | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
At the time of year when the leaves are changing, the humidity is vanishing and the wind is cool and crisp, Lambertville Historical Society celebrates the beauty and history of the town in hosting its annual Autumn House Tour.
However, for the first time since 1990, the tour runs the risk of being cancelled.
According to Fred Eisinger, a trustee of the Lambertville Historical Society, only two houses are currently signed on to be featured in this year's tour, scheduled to take place on Sunday, Oct. 20. A minimum of six are required for the event, a number which Eisinger said is typically met by this point in the year and must be met before the end of the month for the tour to take place.
"We would really have to have (the houses) certainly before the end of this month. If we get into September, we just won't have the time to do everything we need to do," Eisinger explained.
Drawing in approximately 800 participants each year, the tour has been a staple in the community since 1979. It also serves as the Lambertville Historical Society's biggest fundraiser, providing the nonprofit with between $12,000 and $14,000 each year.
"We would hate to see (the tour) not happen. We'd hate to skip a year," Eisinger said. "And there are so many people who enjoy and look forward to the house tour. We don't want to disappoint them."
The self-guided walking house tour typically features between six and eight houses within -- or just outside of -- city lines. Eisinger said these houses are "not strictly historical, though the vast majority have been."
Eisinger added that he couldn't account for why so few residents have requested to have their houses featured this year, but noted that he has recognized many residencies in the area are undergoing construction.
"There are people with home improvement projects downtown, you can see that walking around," Eisinger said. "There are a number of people who told us, 'Oh no, we have construction going on in our homes, next year.' And we hope that's so. Then we should have an overabundance next year, if anyone who is telling us that comes through."
Prior to the tour taking place in October, members of the Lambertville Historical Society prepare write-ups of each house, create a booklet providing information about the tour, and recruit advertisers to be featured in the booklet and upwards of 100 volunteers for the event.
"It's not just (about) getting the houses on the tour; there's a lot else to be considered. That's why we have to make the decision sometime this month. Otherwise, it won't be feasible," Eisinger explained.
Eisinger added it's rare for the Lambertville Historical Society not to accept the house of a resident who has expressed an interest in being featured in the tour, though the organization has said no in the past because of clutter or traffic-related reasons.
"There are some people that have homes that are a bit cluttered and might not be good for visitors. And there are others, particularly along Route 29, where it wouldn't be safe crossing the street ... But it's not like we're weeding out any of those, because we're not getting that many," Eisinger said.
Eisinger said that if the tour is cancelled, he hopes it is "just a one-time occurrence."
Still, he expressed his optimism that the people of Lambertville will keep the yearly event alive.
"It isn't easy getting houses, but we've always succeeded. People come through at the end," Eisinger said.
If you're interested in having your house featured in the 2019 Autumn House Tour, email the Lambertville Historical Society at info@lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org.
Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com.
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