PORT TOWNSEND — The historic 1868 Rothschild House is featured on the 2018 Port Townsend Main Street collectible holiday ornament as a nod to the home’s 150th anniversary year.
“The holiday ornament tradition began in 1990 and the first edition was honoring the Bell Tower,” said Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
“This is our 26th limited edition ornament.”
The red glass ornament costs $12. The ornament was created in a limited edition of 250. Ornaments are still available at all 13 locations, Mullen said.
Locations are at About Time Clothing, 830 Water St.; Abracadabra, 936 Water St.; Bishop Victorian Hotel, 714 Washington St.; Elevated Ice Cream Co. & Candy Shop, 627 Water St.; The Green Eyeshade, 720 Water St.; Jefferson Museum of Art & History, 540 Water St.; Northwest Maritime Center Wooden Boat Chandlery, 431 Water St.; PT Shirt Co., 940 Water St.; Quimper Mercantile Co., 1121 Water St.; Safeway, 442 W. Sims Way; Seasons Hair Salon, 914 Washington St. Suite 6; Shirvan Rug Gallery, 913 Water St.; and The Swan Hotel, 222 Monroe St.
Proceeds from the sale of the special ornaments help fund the holiday activities of the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Mullen said the organization does not have a back stock so a complete collection is not available.
Located on a bluff overlooking Port Townsend Bay at the corner of Franklin and Taylor Streets, the Rothschild House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It opened as a historic site in 1962 and is managed by the Jefferson County Historical Society.
The home has been occupied only by the Rothschild family since it was built by D.C.H. Rothschild, known as the Baron, in 1868. The Baron was born in Bavaria in 1824. In 1858, he settled in Port Townsend where he owned Rothschild and Co. Mercantile, selling varied merchandise.
His widow, Dorette, remained in the house until her death in 1918. She allowed only minimal changes, such as the installation of a bathroom. Her daughter lived there for nearly 78 years until her death in 1954.
The last surviving member of the family, Eugene, donated the home to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission which provides maintenance and oversight of the property.
The place is largely intact from when it was first built.
”As such, it is a surprisingly accurate reflection of our culture 100 years ago,” according to the Jefferson County Historical Society, which offers tours of the house, now a museum, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from May through September for a fee.
For more information, see www.jchsmuseum.org.
Mullen said throughout the years the Port Townsend Main Street glass ornaments have featured historic buildings or celebrated anniversaries such as the Adventuress’s 100th year. Other featured places of interest have included the Carnegie library, the courthouse, Point Wilson Lighthouse and the Hastings Building.
“The is a great way to celebrate our sense of place and history,” she said.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
