Victorian Weekend House Tours

Visitors have the unique opportunity on this self-guided tour to go behind closed doors and see restored private homes, bed and breakfast inns and guesthouses. Tourgoers can meet the homeowners, managers or innkeepers, see unique furnishings and décor, and find inspiration for their own homes and hearths. Properties on tour: The Colonial House (c. 1730) 653 ½ Washington St., Cape May The headquarters of the Greater Cape May Historical Society, the Colonial House Museum was originally a tavern and the family house of Revolutionary War Patriot Memucan Hughes. The front room has been recreated as a tavern with a colonial era cooking/eating room behind. A research/exhibit room at the rear was added in the 1930s. The house and gardens will be decorated for fall in colonial tradition with all natural and native items. Enjoy live colonial music and storytelling on the porch, along with refreshments to celebrate our museum’s 50 year anniversary. The Norris Smith House (1904) 1023 Washington St., Cape May Welcome to the Norris Smith home— a Victorian built in 1904 for a Cape May Maritime family. The first floor is reminiscent of grandmother’s home and displays many decorations of the period. Warm and inviting. Come on in! The Carlin Residence (1855). 1102 Lafayette St. The Blue Heron, a private residence, recently completed their much-anticipated renovation. The original dwelling, built circa 1855, had multiple additions done along the way and served during the 1990’s thru 2014 as the Primrose Bed & Breakfast offering 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. Purchased in October 2014 by the Carlin family, the vision of The Blue Heron began. No longer a B&B, the latest renovations kept the original dwelling intact, prior additions were removed to allow for more modern amenities, including a master bedroom with master bath, new larger kitchen (formerly a gally kitchen), gathering room, mud room and laundry room, rear covered porch, upper balcony, garage, and pool. As a private residence,…