PORT TOWNSEND — A rare opportunity to wander into rare and beautiful homes is what a ticket to the 39th Annual Homes Tour will buy this weekend.
Ten historic Victorian homes and buildings in Port Townsend will be available for perusal on Saturday and Sunday.
Most of the homes predate the 1900s and offer a look at the fine craftsmanship of that era.
Proceeds from the tour, which is sponsored by the Jefferson Healthcare Hospital Auxiliary, will go to hospital equipment and a scholarship fund., said Judy Chiles, Auxiliary board president.
The $16 adult ticket and $8 child ticket is good for both Saturday and Sunday.
The tour — open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days — is self-guided.
Tour participants are given a card with the 10 locations on it, as they visit each spot, that location is marked off.
Each location can be visited only once.
“Once the ticket’s marked you can’t go back and case the joint,” Chiles joked.
Knowledgeable docents will be on hand to answer questions and tell the history of the buildings at each tour location.
Tour-goers are asked not to take pictures while inside the homes.
“Our main duty is we’re taking good care of these houses for the people who are kind enough to open their homes to total strangers,” said Chiles.
Highlights
One of the high points of the tour will be the Commanding Officers’ House at Fort Worden State Park built in 1904.
The 6,000-square foot house displays furnishings and artifacts of the late Victorian era.
Another stop on the tour is the Tea House at the Kelly Building, 2000 Sims Way, where tour-goers will be greeted by attendants in Victorian dress and offered complimentary teas, coffees and sweets.
The Point Wilson Lighthouse is also a part of the tour.
Tickets available
The tour takes the work of about 200 volunteers to put on, said Chiles.
She expects about 1,000 tour visitors, but added this year in particular it is hard to predict what the turnout will be.
“This is such an unusual year because of the Film Festival and everything else that is going on,” she said.
But she hopes that those who are in town for the Port Townsend Film Festival will find the time to take the Home Tour.
Tickets are available at the Port Townsend Visitor Information Center, 2437 E. Sims Way, the Haines Place Park and Ride and at each tour site.