Mt. Gretna’s charming cottages nestled in the hillside are a distinct draw for the town, and now visitors will get a chance to peek inside a few in the 35th Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens.

Mt. Gretna, which just celebrated the dedication of Soldiers Field on the weekend of July 27, is lucky to have many of its old-fashioned summer homes intact, even as they have adapted through the years to accommodate modern lifestyles and amenities.

On Saturday, August 3, from 10:00am through 4:00pm, visitors will get a chance to take a self-guided walking tour and peek inside a selection of more than a dozen of these homes, exploring the various eras of the town, from its start as a summer getaway to the permanent home of many residents.

One of the quintessential Gretna cabins you’ll see on Saturday’s tour.

Starting at the Mt. Gretna Post Office, ticket-buyers will receive a wristband and informational map to aid in the self-guided tour.

One of the homes on the tour, on the edge of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, includes a trolley ride and a look at the owners’ collection of armoires, chandeliers, coats of arms, fireplace mantles, and other antique furniture. (This home is actually for sale currently, with an asking price of $1.25 million.)

231 Valley Road is one of the homes on Saturday’s tour. A trolley ride will transport tour participants to the $1.25 million property.

Other highlights include the 1903 ‘Bitner Mansion,’ a 1925 Campmeeting building, and a recently remodeled 1900 cottage.

The price of tickets, currently $20, will be raised to $25 on the day of the tour. Children 12 years old or younger have a reduced price of $5 if you buy tickets online. The event will take place rain or shine.

For information or tickets, call (717) 361-1508 or visit this link. A complete preview of the tour stops is available at this link. Proceeds benefit Gretna Music. The event is held on the first Saturday of August each year.

Tickets are also on sale at Stauffers of Kissel Hill locations, the Gretna Emporium, and Snitz Creek Cabinet Shop (the event sponsor, located at 2020 Cornwall Road); on the day of the tour, tickets will be available for purchase on the outsides of the Mt. Gretna Post Office and the Gretna Playhouse.

Josh Groh is a Cornwall native and writer who began reporting for LebTown in 2019. He continued to regularly contribute to LebTown while earning a degree in environmental science at Lebanon Valley College, graduating in 2021. Since then, he has lead conservation crews in Colorado and taken on additional...

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