Sandy Jones doesn't mind dressing up on these hot summer days - in fact she says her costume keeps her pretty cool. She's a tour guide for downtown Winchester.

She says, "I start my tour on the corner of Boscawen, which was formally Water Street, and Market Street, which is now Cameron at the Kurtz Building. The Kurtz Building was built in 1836 as a grainery. There was a railroad track that ran right down through the center of Cameron Street to pick up the grain in those days."

You'll recognize many of the names brought up on the tour.

Jones adds, "we talk about Charlie Rouss who was a philanthropist and donated a lot of money to Winchester. He donated money to build city hall, Rouss fire hall, and other places."

Miller is another familiar name - you can see the Godfrey Miller Home on the Walking Mall.

"The Millers came here in the early 1800s as stocking makers. They ventured into medicine and banking and mercantile stores, and they have the distinction of owning and operating a family drug store for the longest time in the United States - 128 years," says Jones.

V2 used to be the Miller Drug Store, and it opened back in 1760. You'll also recognize some buildings in downtown Winchester - check out Kimberly's today, and here's a picture of what it used to look like.

Jones explains, "this is the home of Dr. Hunter McGuire, and he performed the first cataract surgery in Winchester. He had a special needle made and performed this surgery in the cellar in total darkness because he wasn't sure how much light would effect the outcome of the surgery."

Sandy has plenty of more interesting stories, but you'll have to take the tour to hear them all.

"As local citizens, you ignore what's in your backyard. And you go outside to find entertainment. This is a very affordable tour, it's $5, and we do it on the first Friday and the third Friday of each month at 6 o'clock," she concludes.

There will also be a special tour on the 4th of July. The tour lasts about an hour and a half. Reservations are needed. For more information call 540-542-1326.

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