Saltaire historic and new homes, renovated and original homes, gardens that survive the winter rigor, are opened once a summer, in order for visitors to see the variety that exists in the community.
In 1910 the Fire Island Beach Development Company started building in Saltaire with Michael Coffey as the carpenter who shortly went out on his own and became Saltaire's "Master Builder", his distinctive style reflected in homes, churches and buildings which are referred to as "Coffey cottages" or "Coffey style". Exposed sofits and beams as well as overlapping siding trims are some of features that mark his work. Elizabeth Starkey, Since he worked before and after the Hurricane of '38, which destroyed much of Saltaire, his work endures still with pre and post 38 homes and buildings.
Village historian Elizabeth Starkey kicked off the 2009 tour at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, a Coffey building, and provided an introduction including the history of the church. Sponsored by the Saltaire Community Advisory Association, over one hundred visitors, led by local residents, visited homes from the ocean to the bay. Watch for the 2010 tour, usually held at the end of July.