The Junior League of Pelham (JLP) and the high school PTA hosted the 32nd House and History Tour on April 26, inviting over 350 community members to step inside five unique and historic homes across both the Village of Pelham and the Village of Pelham Manor.

The tour was first created as a fundraising event in 1994, and has since expanded into a celebrated event for the town that brings together community members and encourages appreciation of the incredible art and history in Pelham.

Co-chair of the tour Melissa Mulrooney Deighton said, “The sun finally came out for the House & History Tour, bringing together neighbors to celebrate Pelham’s beauty, history and spirit. Five families opened their homes to the community to support programming for the PMHS PTA and the JLP, two organizations close to my heart.”

Rain was forecasted for the day of the tour, projecting the potential for a dreary day that limited the event. But, as Deighton said, everyone was pleasantly surprised to have it turn out to be an beautiful day for exploring the town.

For each home on the tour, attendees were provided notes about the past residents and architecture. The program also highlighted key historical points across the town for people to visit, such as the Pelham Public Library, which was originally a church. Historical analysis was provided by town historian and co-author to the Pelham historical archives, Art Scinta.

For this year’s tour, art was also a key highlight. Not only did each home have paintings and works of art displayed, enhancing their interior designs, but five high school art students created pieces inspired by the homes for an exhibit, showcasing their talents in different art styles. Pelham music students also created a lively and enchanting atmosphere in the homes, providing a melodious background to the tour experience. 

The next tour will take place in 2028, and the organizers hope to continue to expand and improve upon the event for the future.