GILBERTSVILLE – The entire Village of Gilbertsville is on the National Register of Historical Places as an official historical site. From 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 8, the Gilbertsville Free Library will host its second annual Christmas Historical House Tour. The town was orgranized in 1796, but was settled nearly 30 years earlier.

The area is well known for its pre-Civil War homes; in fact some are over 170 years old. The library was built in 1818 and was originally a school house. This year’s historic homes tour theme will be “Dressed for the Holidays” and each of the homes on the walking route will be decorated festively.

Tickets will be sold at the library and the self-guided tour will begin there with four of the five homes open to the public all within a brief walking distance.

“The owners of the houses were kind enough to open their doors,” said Eckmair Leigh, historian for the Village of Gilbertsville and Town of Butternuts. A map of the area and information about the homes will be provided. The library will also be open for anyone wishing to take a look, said Leigh.

The cost of the tour will be $6 if purchased in advance or $7 at the door. The event, run strictly by volunteers, is held to help raise funds for the Gilbertsville library. For information regarding the event, call 783-2832.