SALISBURY — The centerpiece of the 41st annual OctoberTour is the Elizabeth Hanford Dole House, 712 S. Fulton St., open for tours for the first time.

The Tudor home was built by John Van Hanford and Mary Ella Cathey Hanford in 1937. It was here that they raised their two children, Elizabeth Hanford Dole, and the late John Van Hanford Jr.

“I’m so pleased and excited to open my home for OctoberTour. This house — built by my parents in 1937, where my brother and I were raised — has blessed our family with so many wonderful memories,” Dole says. “It is so dear to my heart and has indeed remained a touchstone throughout my life. I can still hear my precious mother, an excellent pianist, playing and singing ‘Bless this house, O Lord we pray, make it safe by night and day.’

“I hope the participants of OctoberTour will enjoy seeing a place that’s so special to me, and I hope OctoberTour weekend is a great success. Historic preservation was a top priority for my mother and she would be so delighted that the proceeds from the tour will go to this very important cause. Many thanks to all who work so hard to make this annual event possible.”