The original Open House tour was sponsored by the Newtown Civic and Historic Association and was called “Christmas in Colonial Newtown.” It was held on Saturday December 14, 1963 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and the price per person was only $1.50. Seven distinctive homes in Newtown were featured, including the Homestead (1800) at 127 South Sycamore Street; a colonial residence (1740) on South State Street; the Quintin House (1801) at 149 North State Street; the Bird in Hand (1690) at 111 South State Street; the Georgian House (1830) at 111 Court Street; the Schofield House (1837) at 113 Court Street; and a Victorian house (1860) at 219 Washington Avenue. Other buildings included on the tour were the Newtown Presbyterian Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Christmas Alley of the Hanging Lamp on North State Street.

A carol and candlelight parade in costume was featured on Friday night starting at Washington and Chancellor Streets and street caroling on Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. at the Bird in Hand. It was noted in the program that the Newtown Civic and Historic Association desired to acquire a historic building and if necessary restore it as a headquarters. The monies derived from the celebration of “Christmas in Colonial Newtown” were to be used toward this goal.