The Pinehurst Promenade will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31, in Old Town Pinehurst for the first time in 10 years. Ten gracious homeowners have agreed to showcase their historic cottages to benefit the Tufts Archives and Given Memorial Library, the area's Pinehurst history museum, and quaint library.

One of the historic cottages being featured on the tour is the Concord Cottage, owned by David and Molly Gwinn.

"I have such fond memories of the village," says Gwinn. "As a child, I would come visit the Carolina Hotel and run around the sun porch, wicker chairs and play the jigsaw puzzles; it was like our own kind of magical secret garden. I thought it was just a wonderful place."

Gwinn knew exactly where she wanted to settle when the time came.

"There's no question we wanted to be in the village and be a part of historic Pinehurst," she says. "When we walked into the Concord Cottage, we knew it was for us. It had been restored, but hadn't lost any of its original charm. The integrity was kept intact, which is so important."

When asked about her favorite part of the home, she says, "I would have to say the screened porch (after pollen season, of course)! We can sit outside and see the horse and carriage drive by, yet it is still a very private place."

Another home featured on the tour is Silva Nidus, owned by Jean Thompson and her son, Jimmy Thompson. They purchased the home directly from Admiral Zumwalt on the weekend of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I love this home," says Jean Thompson. "When I walk in, I feel the footprints of the past. feel the true Old Pinehurst because there's so much history here with many of the original elements that still remain."

She purchased the home to use as a corporate retreat for Southeastern Tool & Die. "It has been such a pleasure to own and entertain in this historic piece of Pinehurst," she says.

Five additional cottages will be on tour Sunday, May 31, from noon to 5 p.m., including Hale Cottage, Halfway House, Magnolia Inn, Mistletoe Cottage and Suffolk Cottage.

"This tour is special in the fact that it features only the most historic cottages in the Village of Pinehurst," says Nancy Geddes, Promenade co-chairman. "There are so few that a glimpse of seven of them is a real treat."

The Tufts archives will also be providing free tours of the museum Sunday, along with complimentary refreshments, and Kirk Tours will be providing shuttle transportation for any guest that would like assistance to the cottages.

Saturday evening will include a special preview event of three exclusive cottages: Fernleigh Cottage, Tremont Cottage and Hinton Cottage. There will be food by Elliott's on Linden, paired with beverages, a silent auction and a brief commentary on the history of the cottages as well as fun stories of Pinehurst's past.

Tickets for the preview are $50 and include a ticket to the next day's Promenade. Tickets for the Promenade can be purchased separately for $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event. All tickets are available for purchase at the Given Memorial Library, The Country Bookshop or Given Book Store in Olmsted Village.

For more information, call (910) 295-6022 or go to www.tuftsarchives.org.