Peek inside the homes and into the backyards of properties in Maytown, all to benefit the Maytown Historical Society.

The Maytown Historical Society will host a Maytown House, Patio, Yard and Garden Tour on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour locations are all in the Maytown area and are within driving or walking distance from the museum, located at 4 W. High St.

The event will also feature a meal fundraiser available at the museum with pulled pork barbecue, a baked potato, applesauce, a cookie, a drink and a roll. It will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"People will see unique house styles and decorations," said Linda Good, vice president of the Maytown Historical Society, who is joining tour co-chairs Monica Cressman and Heidi Hinkel in organizing the event.

There are eight stops on the tour.

The home and garden of Dave and Sandy Miller will be one of the stops. "One of the original log homes of Maytown, this house has been restored, including the exposing of some of the original logs," Good said, noting that the backyard features a lush garden.

The house of Mark and Deb Hinkel and the garden of Rich and Cheri Bach will also be on the tour.

Good described the Hinkel home as a "Colonial-style house built in 1890, decorated with Colonial-style furnishings." It features original floors in some rooms and an exposed brick wall.

The Bachs' garden was originally a cornfield and is now a vibrant combination of an English and an Italian garden in four sections. It features a large dove house in the middle of the garden which was copied from the Wythe House in Williamsburg.

A stop at Danny and Janet Love's home will feature tours of the house, patio and garden. "(This is) one of Maytown's Airbnbs, featuring the old bank, uniquely restored; a newly finished patio and garden; and a repurposed living quarters using many features from the original house."

Tourgoers will also visit Old Fogie Farm, where they can enjoy a peaceful stroll through a lavish butterfly garden.

The house and garden of Arla Henry and her sons Grant and Ethan will be featured as well.

"The house is completely redone with an exposed log wall and brick hearth," Good said, adding that the home also features eclectic furnishings; an added-on kitchen; a deck; and a lavish and fragrant herb, vegetable and flower garden.  

Mike and Cathy Buckwalter will open their farmhouse and garden for the tour.

"Tour both floors of this beautifully decorated working farmhouse," Good said. "Many unique antiques (can be found here) including a clawfoot bathtub. The farm was originally owned by Simon Cameron, a member of Lincoln's cabinet."

The home of Jacob and Emily Zeigler will also be on the tour. "It is a fully renovated schoolhouse circa 1850s," Good shared.

Choosing the properties to feature is not an easy task, Good said, noting that Maytown is full of historic and unique homes.

"We selected homes that were not on previous tours in the last couple years," she stated. "We also tried to find homes that featured unique decor and style and gardens that were in bloom."

The tour is a fundraiser for the Maytown Historical Society, which operates a museum on the square in Maytown and holds a variety of public programs. Proceeds will be used for property maintenance, monthly expenses, new acquisitions and archiving expenses.

"This is one tour you will not want to miss," Good said. "This is an inexpensive activity and well worth the money. People can expect to learn about the history of some of Maytown's beautiful homes."

Tickets for the tour and the meal may be purchased by calling the museum at 717-426-1526 and leaving a message with your name, contact number and number of tour and meal tickets. People may also send an email to maytownhistory@aol.com. Tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the tour. Meal tickets will be available until sold out. Some stops on the tour are not ADA compliant.