Historic private homes opened to Christmas Tour

Saturday marks one of Lewes's biggest holiday traditions, the 44th Annual Christmas Tour.  The event gives folks a chance to learn more about the city, and get a peek inside of nine of the area's private historic homes.

We're told this is a big event for locals, many of whom attend every year.

"People come with friends and family, people come from all over.  We have locals who come and walk out of their house and walk down the street to see their neighbors homes and to see the society.  We have people traveling from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia; it's a destination," says Marcos Salaverria, education director for the Lewes Historical Society.

Hundreds buy tickets to tour the private homes, as a way to remind people of the area's rich tradition.

"It puts us on the map and people come back that's the best.  People say I thought there was only a beach in Lewes, you say no there's a plethora of history," says Salaverria.    "We are not a beach town, we are a town with history that just happens to have a beach.  Come and explore it year round."

And the Christmas Tour is a big day every year from the Historical Society.

"Being able to welcome folks into homes and show them historic homes, and the past that we have to offer, and bring them back to the campus is huge," said Andrew Lyter, an education assistant with the society.

If you are interested in history, the new Lewes Museum is there for you to discover.  Officials say they plan to open a children's wing soon.