Port Townsend Heritage Association

08/15/2026

Only three Sundays left in our summer walking tour season! Take a 90 minute tour of the historic Port Townsend Uptown neighborhood any Sunday through the end of August. Meet at the post office (1322 Washington Street) at 11AM. Tickets are $10 per person, payable in person with cash, or via our website, ptheritage.org. Only three more tours this season - don't miss out!

08/02/2026

Please read!

Following up on last week's Advocacy Alert: last Friday 7/24, the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation voted to move forward with its proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act—changes which, in the words of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “will eviscerate the preservation of our shared civic and cultural heritage in the United States.”

While the public comment period has not yet opened, we urge all Washingtonians who value our state’s historic and cultural heritage to closely follow this process. Visit our website to learn what you can do to make your voice heard: https://preservewa.org/fighting-for-section-106/

08/02/2026

Grateful to borrow this post for a really amazing look at the stairs that used to exist to allow residents to traverse the bluff between Uptown and Downtown.

Tha Adams Street stairs another example of the Lost History of Port Townsend, Washington. On Victorian Thursday I've started posting vintage photos capturing the lost past of the City of Dreams. Constructed of wood in the 1880's an interesting feature of this picture is the first fire bell tower seen at the top left. The tower was later located at the spot on the bluffs we see today above downtown.

07/30/2026

Just five weekends left to take one of our summer walking tours - the only tour of PT's historic Uptown. It's 90 minutes of strolling along quiet Victorian streets from our late 19th century. The entire neighborhood is a designated historic district. Plus, you never know what surprise may be in store!
We've already had an invitation to come inside Trinity Methodist Church (1872), and two tours of a local garden provided by the homeowner just because we were walking by. And last Sunday we got invited inside Trinity Methodist again. Our tours put you in the right place at the right time! 😄
You can prepurchase your ticket for any of the remaining August Sunday dates on our website, ptheritage.org; or you can just show up at 11AM at the post office, 1322 Washington Street, and pay $10 cash per person. Who knows what unexpected surprises await? Only five more opportunities to find out.

07/06/2026

Don't forget -our walking tours of PT's historic Uptown run every Sunday this summer. It's the only tour of Uptown! Also happening this weekend: a fantastic yard sale at the iconic Starrett House. It's a fundraiser for the (badly needed) new roof. There will be lots of goodies, including Victorian costume items. You can also get a tour inside the house. We'll be there to help out and show you around. So mark your calendars! Saturday yard sale! Sunday walking tour! 😄

06/28/2026

Sometimes on our walking tours of PT's historic Uptown neighborhood, you are in the right place at the right time and get an extra special bonus. Today our group was at Trinity Methodist Church (1871) when we were asked if we would like a tour of the interior. Of course everyone said yes! We even got to hear the organ. Thanks Ted! It was so kind of you to invite us in. Make note, potential tour-takers: You never know what might happen on our Sunday Uptown Walking Tours!

06/25/2026

Shared from our friends at JCHS. Don't miss this opportunity to see an authentic historic time capsule of life in 19th century Port Townsend!

Step back in time at the Rothschild House Museum, open Thursday–Saturday, 11AM - 4PM.

This remarkably well-preserved house, built in 1868, offers an intimate glimpse into the life of one Port Townsend family in the late 19th century. Nearly everything you see belonged to the family, making it one of the most authentic and immersive historic homes in the region.

Open through September 12th. Admission to the Rothschild House also includes same-day admission to the Museum of Art + History downtown.

Learn more about the Rothschild House at https://www.jchsmuseum.org/rothschild-house

06/21/2026

It's a beautiful, sunny first day of summer; and the first Sunday walking tour of PT's historic Uptown neighborhood. This calls for a Really. Big. Hat. 😄
Hope to see you this season! Come by the post office any Sunday through the end of August. 90 minute tours start at 11AM and cost $10, payable on site or at the PTHA webpage. Receive a souvenier map of PT's historic buildings and homes from our guide with our compliments.

06/19/2026

Sharing this from our great friends at JCHS. Go see the Rothschild House this summer! It's truly an authentic journey back in time.

This is Emilie Rothschild’s graduation photo from 1891, when she was part of Port Townsend High School’s very first graduating class.

Emilie would go on to become one of Port Townsend’s first librarians and lived nearly her entire life in the Rothschild House, built in 1868. Today, that home is preserved as a historic house museum, where almost everything you see belonged to the Rothschild family, including Emilie herself.

Come visit the Rothschild House museum (418 Taylor St.) and learn more about Emilie and her family. Open Thursday–Saturday, 11AM to 4PM, through September 12.

For a deeper dive into the family's story, mark your calendar for July 22nd when we’ll present a special program about the family at the Cotton Building. More info at https://www.jchsmuseum.org/programs.