So you’re interested in becoming a House Tour Host?

Become a Host

About the Tour

For one day only, the public is able to walk through a variety of homes and public spaces that are a part of what has been called “one of the top 10 great streets in America.” The tours are self-guided, so people can choose their own route and stops, but volunteers will be stationed at each of the locations to help facilitate and guide everyone.

The Summit Hill House Tour started in 1972, when Summit Avenue was in a slump and old buildings were in danger of being torn down. Today it is one of the most popular historic tours in the nation and serves as a major fundraiser for the Summit Hill and Ramsey Hill Associations. This year we are very excited to partner with the Ramsey Hill Association to provide a more robust tour and VIP experience.

What to Expect

  • 2025 Date TBD

  • Chair: Marcy Wengler, Summit Hill neighbor and agent with Edina Realty

  • Tour format: tickets are purchased ahead of time and picked up at a SHA tent at Summit Ave. and Victoria in the neighborhood the day of the tour. Shuttle buses circulate in-between houses on the tour. Each house has a House Captain/lead volunteer + room volunteers to answer questions and ensure proper tour procedure is being followed.

  • All logistics surrounding which rooms you want on the tour, specifics about your house, etc. will be discussed at a walkthrough visit between homeowners and House Tour Committee members.

Homeowner Perks

  • Complete personalized house history and professional photos of your home

  • Invitation to the exclusive volunteer party - includes heavy appetizers, hosted bar, and a recognition program)

  • Any other necessary arrangements upon agreement between the House Tour Committee and homeowners to ensure your participation experience is as smooth as possible

  • Hardcover coffee table book featuring all of the homes on the tour for that year.

Homeowner FAQs

What timeframe do we need access to your house on the day of the tour?

10 am - 6pm.

How many tickets were sold in recent years? How many visitors should I expect?

Typically, we sell between 1,800-2,500 tickets with between 1,500-2,000 individuals visiting each home.

How much do tickets cost?

The 2024 rates are $45 for regular ticket and $165 for VIP (includes brunch, early access, premier parking, and other giveaways).

What happens if there is any damage caused during the tour?

The Summit Hill Association holds an umbrella policy and our regular general liability which covers up to $2,000,000. Any valuables can be removed from the home as the homeowner wishes. Our volunteers are situated so that everything and everyone is very closely monitored. We can also block off rooms with a cord so that people can just see into a certain room vs. entering it. We will work closely with you to understand your wishes and requests for tour flow inside your home. Believe it or not in all the years we've been hosting the House Tour, there has never been a problem with theft or breakage and will work hard to continue to employ the same standards for this upcoming tour.

Next Steps

We are no longer accepting applications for hosts for 2024. To join the waitlist for next year, click here.

  1. Join the waitlist for 2025.

  2. We arrange for the House Tour Committee to reach out and set up a walkthrough of your home to discuss volunteer needs, space logistics, and answer any questions you have.

  3. We do our best to coordinate these visits to bring along our photographer and historian who will be taking photos and notes for the ticket book.

  4. You will have a volunteer be your point of contact until the tour is over.