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Places to Go and Things to Do in 2002 - Part VII

© Jerri Brooker

Here we go again - another adventure around Washington State. This week we begin in Port Townsend at a lovely historical home. Then we do a little hiking, a little visit to see some wild animals, some museums and a trip upward!

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I love history and I especially love to feel a part of it. One way to get inside history is to visit a pioneer home that has been restored for future generations or visit museums. In this part of my series we'll go on a learning trek with a few other adventures tucked in to the mix.

Visit an Historical Home

D.C.H. Rothschild was a German immigrant and a prominent businessman in Port Townsend in the late 1800's. Related to the prominent European banking family he came without money to this country where he opened grocery businesses. His Port Townsend Kentucky Store was his third behind stores in California and Bellingham.

At 39 he married Dorette Hartung, 20 years his junior, and soon built a home for the family. His practicality demanded a sensible house. That's what he built: four bedrooms up - a parlor, dining room, bedroom and kitchen and bath on the main floor. Sturdy and strong it was, overlooking his business on the waterfront. The basement beams held hung meat and shared space for sauerkraut crocks and wine racks for this entertaining family.

The home is now a Washington State Parks Heritage Site. It's considered the home of an elite working man and represents a way of life now gone in our society. Restored by the Jefferson Country Historical Society and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, it still sports the original wall and ceiling paper in the parlor.

Most of the family furniture remains including a massive walnut desk. There's also a rare sewing machine from Florence sold at the Kentucky Store. You can also see marks on some of the furniture from the family's parrot, Polly. The stair banister is of Honduras mahogany, which is a feature of a lot of homes I've viewed in this area.

There's a flower garden that include varieties from the 1800's and an herb garden that's also been restored. Be taken back as you wander the garden and visit the home. Have a delightful, historical fling.

For more information on this house visit http://www.jchsmuseum.org .

Maybe you'd like to duck into some rustic cover after spending so much time at the historic home.

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