Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Long Beach Historical Society will host their annual House Tour event on April 26. The self-guided 1-mile tours will explore seven private, historic properties with preserved craftsmanship, from intricate architecture to unique décor.
The tours will begin at the historical society’s museum, 226 West Penn Street, at an assigned time. Tourists will receive a brochure about properties, ticket(s) and a map. Homeowners and other knowledgeable guides will be present.
Sue Friedman, a historical society board trustee, said it provides participants the opportunity to see how Long Beach evolved from an early 19th century resort destination into what it is today.
“People who go on the tour always leave wondering about these historic homes,” Friedman said. “Now is a chance to get a glimpse into each house.”
Roger Woo, whose house on Laurelton Boulevard was featured 10 years ago, will once again be featured this year. The house’s exterior follows a white stucco/red roof tiling combination, a design heavily favored by late Senator William H. Reynolds, who transformed the Barrier Islands in the early 1900s. The design is an ode to Mediterranean-style homes.
Woo and his wife, Irbi Sulit Woo, inherited the house from her parents — Abelardo and Asuncion Sulit. The home’s interior features original wood floors, stained glass windows, and crown molding from its construction in 1929. Aside from the kitchen’s slight remodeling, Woo has kept the original style.
“I’ve tried very hard to maintain it,” Woo said. “I love the details of the house, and I have respect for the details and what Reynolds tried to instill here.”
The spectacle attracts dozens of participants each year like Bernadette Shouvlin. A Long Beach resident for five years, she toured last year and said the opportunity was nothing short of spectacular.
“The best house was Marty Doss’ on West Penn,” Shouvlin remarked, noting its Mediterranean style. “It had a beautiful exterior with two statues that looked like Greek muses.”
The house’s interior, she recalled, was decorated with a collection of antiques dating back to the 1920s. She said furniture like the tables, chairs and boxes made her appreciate people’s hard work in maintaining the historic artifacts.
“I love to see people’s lives and their history come alive,” Shouvlin said.
Multiple tours will be offered in time slots between 12 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., with all tours ending by 4:30 p.m.
Tour tickets for historical society members are priced at $40, while non-member tickets are $45. No children under 16 years old are permitted. Strollers, food, drink and pets are also not allowed on the home tour. For more information on registration, visit longbeachhistoricalsociety.org/tour-houses.
