Port Townsend Heritage Association

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.

06/16/2026

Our summer walking tour season starts this Sunday! Join us for our fifth year of historic strolls through Port Townsend's Uptown neighborhood. It's the only tour of Uptown. Tickets are $10 each, children 14 and under are free. Take a 90 minute walk through quiet residential streets populated with authentic, lovely Victorian homes. Hear about the city's early history as the "city of dreams" to the economic crash to the modern restoration that has made Port Townsend one of only three recognized Victorian Seaports in the country.
Tours start at the post office - a National Historic Register building - located at 1322 Washington Street. Tours begin at 11AM and will continue every Sunday through August 30th. You can pay $10 cash per person the day of the tour, or reserve them in advance at our website (linked below). Come join our costumed guide for a summer stroll! Don't miss out. See you at the post office!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/porttownsendheritageassociation/2220058

05/21/2026

Now here's an amazing opportunity: The Point Wilson lighthouse is not to be missed. Get to see the inside and inner workings of an authentic, historic Northwest lighthouse! Having been inside, we can tell you that it is both stunningly beautiful and loaded with local history. Check it out -summer's practically here!

Point Wilson Is Open for Weekend Tours!

The volunteers at Point Wilson have been hard at work spiffing up the lighthouse, working on our skills and upgrading the gift shop.

Come see us. We can't wait to say hello!

05/17/2026

Some of the views from our summer walking tours of historic Uptown Port Townsend.

05/17/2026

Our summer walking tour season of historic Uptown Port Townsend begins June 21st and runs through the end of August. Every Sunday you can meet up with our local guide at the PT post office (1322 Washington Street) at 11AM and take a 90 minute stroll through this designated historic residential neighborhood. We have tales of the city's early rise (and fall!), as well as current stories of restoration and preservation. Plus, you can jump off and grab lunch, meander downtown and get tips on how to spend the rest of your day if you're here visiting. That's every Sunday at 11AM. Meet at 1322 Washington Street - the post office. The cost is only $10. You can reserve a ticket ahead of time via our website, (link below) or purchase with cash the day of the tour. See you Uptown soon - summer is coming!

ptheritage.org

04/27/2026

Our 2026 Fashion Show included a model in a replica Confederate uniform. We were subsequently contacted by individuals who were deeply uncomfortable with this inclusion. We sincerely apologize to our models, festival goers, and supporters. We will work to ensure that we do better by all our patrons and participants in the future.
Sincerely ~ The Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival

04/24/2026

The 30th Victorian Heritage Festival opens today! And don't forget, we have extra special offerings. Both the Starrett House and St. Paul's church are open for tours today, with donations gratefully accepted. Starting tomorrow you can get admission to the Rothschild House museum, check out the Commanding Officer's Quarters at Fort Worden. . . .and more!
To see all the events happening outside of our Downtown HQ, check out the link here.

10/30/2025

SAVE THE DATE! Our 30th Victorian Heritage Festival is scheduled for April 24, 25 and 26 of next year. We have some surprises in store, as well as our most popular offerings. We're planning now, so stay tuned. More information will start rolling in after the holidays.

10/16/2025

From our friends at the Starrett House ~