For a single afternoon each September, some of Southampton’s most admired private residences quietly open their gates to visitors. The Southampton History Museum’s annual Insider’s View returns Saturday, September 12, inviting guests beyond the hedges to explore a curated collection of exceptional houses and gardens that reflect the village’s rich architectural legacy and enduring tradition of stewardship. The event has become one of the East End’s signature cultural experiences, blending history, architecture, and landscape design with the stories that continue to shape one of America’s most historic communities.
The self-guided afternoon tour will conclude with a reception by Sant Ambroeus on the grounds of the museum’s historic Rogers Mansion, where guests will gather to celebrate Southampton’s architectural heritage while supporting the museum’s ongoing preservation, educational programming, and stewardship of its historic sites, collections, and archives. The event continues the museum’s long-standing commitment to bringing local history to life.
True to the Insider’s View tradition, the tour locations will remain a secret until the day itself. Ticket holders will receive an exclusive map and parking passes upon check-in.
“The element of surprise and discovery is what makes this tour so special,” said Sarah Kautz, Executive Director of the Southampton History Museum. “Each property tells part of the story of this remarkable community, while the event itself helps ensure that the Museum can continue preserving and sharing Southampton’s history for future generations.”
Board President and event chair Averitt Buttry added, “We curate an exclusive collection of sites, allowing our guests to discover Southampton’s architectural history one beautiful surprise at a time.”
The annual event celebrates not only exceptional architecture and design, but also the people and preservation efforts that have protected Southampton’s historic identity for generations.
For ticket and sponsorship information, visit southamptonhistory.org/iv.