The Pacific Northwest has a surprising number of historic homes, considering our short history. With most homes built around the 1880s – 1920s, these historic homes look especially lovely when decorated for the holidays. Many offer special tours and holiday events to help you take a step back to a gentler, quieter time before flashing holiday lights, screaming electronic toys, and digital Christmas cards. Enjoy a trip through the time machine and perhaps try going caroling while being pulled in a horse-drawn wagon. Put on your holiday best and sip some tea at one of the many holiday teas, or experience a living history museum while sipping hot chocolate. There are wonderful options for all to make this Christmas extra special.
Pittock Mansion
Portland, Oregon
The mansion on the hill with the spectacular view overlooking Portland, the Pittock Mansion is an iconic historic stop in Portland. All decked out during the holidays with a new theme every year, the mansion is open for tours and hosts several holiday events including a gingerbread building contest.
Deepwood Mansion
Salem, Oregon
The Deepwood Mansion and Museum is a well preserved beauty right on the edge of downtown Salem and Bush’s Park. The grounds are filled with beautiful flowers in the summer, but during the winter holiday season, the mansion becomes extra special and hosts open houses with visits from Santa, holiday teas, and holiday markets.
The Flavel House
Astoria, Oregon
The massive mansion on the hill overlooking downtown Astoria, has long been a favorite historic home to visit. During the holidays it becomes especially beautiful with holiday decorations. They host an annual Christmas event with holiday music, crafts, games, cookies, and hot chocolate.
The Governor’s Mansion
Olympia, WA
Visitors to the Georgian-style mansion, situated on a bluff overlooking Capitol Lake, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, will get a 35- minute walking tour of the State of Washington Governor’s mansion’s holiday decorations. The circa-1908 mansion is the oldest building on Olympia’s Capitol Campus and will be beautifully adorned for the holidays. Along with the festive decor, visitors will get guided tours of the Mansion’s permanent collection of antique furnishings and Northwest artwork.
The Monteith House
Albany, Oregon
This pioneer home celebrates the Christmas season with special events including a children’s pioneer Christmas party, opening for special holiday tours during downtown Albany’s Christmas Parlour Tour, and evenings of caroling on horse-drawn trolleys.
The Shelton McMurphy Johnson House
Eugene, Oregon
A Victorian masterpiece sits majestically on the side of a hill. The house is host to many events all year long including holiday teas, candlelight tours, and a decorated wreath auction.
The Marshall House
Vancouver, WA
The historic home, once home to Gen. George C. Marshall, is a beautifully preserved home on “Officer’s Row” of Fort Vancouver. The home is open for tours year-round and is especially lovely during the holidays. They are host to several elegant Christmas teas which fill up quickly.
The Meeker Mansion
Puyallup, WA
The Meeker Mansion was the home of the first mayor of Puyallup, and a man who travelled the Oregon Trail to make a new life here. The mansion is open for tours, and decorates for the holidays, ready for hosting holiday teas, Santa Breakfast, and candlelight tours.
The Campbell House
Spokane, WA
Experience life in the early 1900s at the historic Campbell House. Part of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, the home is an active hub with living history characters, Christmas decorations and craft making opportunities.
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Yachats, Oregon
Step back in time to the life of a lighthouse keeper by celebrating the holidays with a visit to the Heceta Head Lighthouse. While the lighthouse keeper’s cottage is usually a bed and breakfast, they open it up fully decorated for the public to view during the holidays for A Victorian Christmas at Heceta Head Lighthouse event.
The Brunk Farmstead
Salem, Oregon
This modest pioneer home was built in 1861 and is still an active farm today, but now donating the harvest to the community food bank. With activities all year long, during the Christmas holiday they host an open house with visits from Santa, and tours of the quieter pioneer life as it used to be.
