About the Georgetown House Tour

The Georgetown House Tour

Believed to be the oldest house tour in the nation, the Georgetown House Tour has welcomed visitors into Georgetown’s private homes since 1931. Each spring, locals and out-of-town guests alike can explore historic residences and gardens, many dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, that their owners have graciously opened for the day. Every ticket also includes the Parish Tea in Blake Hall at St. John’s. Presented by St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown, the tour draws well over a thousand guests and relies on hundreds of dedicated volunteers from the parish and the wider community. All proceeds support the ministries of St. John’s.

The Magazine

The Georgetown House Tour Magazine is your ticket to both the Tour and the Tea, and many guests keep it as a souvenir. It includes a detailed history of each home on the Tour, information about St. John’s Church, a walking map, and a list of the friends and sponsors who make the day possible. The full-color, 8½ x 11 magazine offers advertising at several levels. An ad puts your organization in front of prominent Georgetowners and Washingtonians, architects and designers, friends of the church, and visitors from out of town. For questions about ad placement, visit our sponsor information page and advertising information page, or email georgetownhousetour@gmail.com.

The Patrons’ Party

The Patrons’ Party opens House Tour week each year and is one of the highlights of Georgetown’s spring social season. Founded in 2001 by the late Frida Burling, this fundraiser is open to the public. It brings together Georgetowners, friends of St. John’s, and their guests for a festive evening at a landmark Georgetown residence or historic venue, where the homeowners who open their doors for the Tour are honored. Depending on their level of patronage, guests receive a House Tour Magazine, which is also their ticket to the Tour and Tea. That puts your organization’s message directly into the hands of an influential and engaged audience.