This year’s Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society Candlelight Tour is the 38th annual, and its theme is “Riverview — Tradition with a Twist.”

Six homes are open for touring this year, varying in age and style from a late 1920s English cottage-style home to a mid-century home with a large, contemporary addition made in 2009.

The tour will be held Dec. 6 and 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.

Sandra Councill said she got the idea for the theme when she went to an event at an older home in Riverview owned by a younger couple.

“They had made it so modern and fresh-looking inside,” Councill said. “I thought, ‘Wow, we have all of these wonderful houses in Riverview. It would be an easy tour.’”

Unlike some past Candlelight Tours, all of this year’s homes are within a 15-minute walk of one another, Councill said. But they each have the ability to transport visitors to different time periods.

“When you walk inside, they have a new life of their own,” she said. “I just think it’s wonderful, because each house is different on the outside. The construction and the type of homes are set in their period, but when you walk in you have a whole different vision.”

Open this year are the home of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Birdsong at 810 W. Riverview Drive; the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Woodward III at 824 W. Riverview Drive; the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clay White at 537 W. Riverview Drive; the home of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Haas at 807 Dumville Ave.; the home of Dr. Hannah and Mr. Jimmy Adams at 826 W. Riverview Drive; and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Johnson at 709 Jones St.

According to the historical society, the Riverview area took its name from Benjamin Dumville, who gave the farm he bought that name when he came to Suffolk from New York in 1876. In 1890, the Riverview Land and Development Co. was chartered and bought the Dumville farm. The neighborhood was planned as early as 1907, but it would be nearly two decades before homes began to be built there.

The area was considered quite far from downtown — practically country living — in those days before everyone had a vehicle. The large, wooded lots fronted on streets that were unpaved until around 1930.

In the mid-20th century, Smith’s Creek and part of Cohoon’s Creek were dammed, creating Lake Meade and expansive new water views for many of the oldest houses in the neighborhood.

Councill said special plans for this year’s tour include a screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” in the home theater of the Haas home, with popcorn and soda served.

In addition, guests will be able to purchase food from Roy’s and Ricky’s right in Riverview. Warm treats will include clam chowder, Brunswick stew, ham rolls, coffee and hot chocolate as well as baked goods.

“I just thought it was an added thing people could do,” Councill said. “In my mind, if I were coming to the tour, I would come after church, eat lunch with Ricky and Roy’s and then do the tour.”

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour and are available at the Suffolk Visitor Center, Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum and A. Dodson’s. Call 539-2781 for more information.