After a week of cold weather, The Historical Society of Islip Hamlet held its annual Holiday House Tour on Dec. 8. From noon to 4 p.m., visitors took a look at historical houses that were decorated for the holiday season. This year marked the society’s 27th year hosting the tour.

Tour guides dressed in Victorian attire greeted visitors at each house they stopped at.

The house tour was followed by a reception at Trinity Lutheran Church starting at 1 p.m. Guests enjoyed live entertainment, refreshments, a 50/50 raffle which featured a variety of gift cards from local shops and restaurants, and a variety of gift baskets.

The event dates back to over 30 years ago, starting in 1992. The tour had been held each year since, until COVID-19 put it to a stop. This year is the first time since the pandemic that the tour is taking place.

“The purpose of the tour is two-fold,” Christina Vanasco, of the Islip Historical Society, said. “It offers a glimpse into some of the lovely old homes of Islip, which have been decorated for the holidays, and allows participants to tour our four historic churches.”

This year, six houses were on display throughout Islip, located near the Trinity Lutheran Church. Guests went on a self-guided tour, visiting each house in whichever order they liked. Lines trailed the entrance to each house throughout the day.

The second stop on the list was the Siano home, whose most recent owners, Anthony and Mary Anne Siano, purchased back in 1980. The Sianos were in search of a Queen Anne Victorian-style home. One of many antique features of the house is a 1920s functioning gas stove along with a 1920s-style ceramic tile floor.

The Siano home was previously showcased in 2010 and has since then added a back porch to resemble the front porch. This year, Anthony Siano dedicated the house’s presentation in memory of Mary Anne Siano.

The third stop on tour was the Holwell home, whose current owners are Jerry and Jean Holwell. They are the fourth owners of the house, purchasing it back in 1973 as their “starter home.” They have owned it for 51 years and have made significant changes and improvements to the house, doing  most of the work themselves.

Originally showcased in 2009, the house features stained-glass pieces throughout, from an artist located in Virginia. Its Christmas decor displayed ornaments that the Holwells have collected from places they have visited.

The fourth stop was the Wilson home, whose current owners are Scott and Lynda Wilson. The early owners date back to 1869, the Doxsee family, who were well known on Long Island for operating one of the oldest seafood businesses. The house was previously used as a funeral home and dental office.

The Wilsons purchased the house in 2006 and have done many repairs. The front porch needed to be rebuilt and all of the windows needed to be replaced. Their hard work shows with today’s appearance of the house, both interior and exterior.

The fifth stop was the Laterza home, which dates back to 1898. The current owners, Alissa and Dennis Laterza, purchased it back in 2020 and have made it their home along with their three young children.

Some of the antique pieces of the house include a door purchased by Alissa Laterza’s grandfather. It was part of their previous home and brought with them when they moved to their current home. The house has had significant changes, all while preserving its history and architecture.

The sixth stop on the tour was the Kristiansen home, owned by Erik and Rebecca Kristiansen. It dates back to the early 1900s and its previous owners purchased it in 1970 to raise their two sons. In 2008, the Kristiansens purchased it and now raise their two young sons in the home.

A number of the original features of the house were kept. The kitchen features exposed brick, the den contains original wood structures that have remained in the house for decades, and the laundry room kept the original wood floors.

The last house on tour was the Freeman home, owned by Peter and Jean Freeman. They purchased the house in 1976 from the previous owners, the McGrattys. It gives off a warm, countryside look, which is what the Freemans were looking for.

It was a successful event for the Historical Society of Islip Hamlet, and for Islip residents.

“Putting together this event is an enormous amount of work and involves many society members’ efforts,” Vanasco said. “But we all enjoy the work we do for the society.”