PORT TOWNSEND — This weekend, the people of Port Townsend will take a step back into the city’s past.
Those dressed in Victorian finery will match the splendor of the Victorian-era historic buildings that provide much of the charm of the seaside city — and which earned Port Townsend a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
But it’s not necessary to dress up to enjoy any of the events.
Tours, demonstrations, fashion shows, Victorian games, a whale exhibit and a special dance Saturday night are only some of the activities available.
Revival with difference
The festival is a revival of an old favorite — with a difference.
The 2010 version of the Port Townsend Victorian Festival was canceled because of a lack of volunteers and funds. That would have been the festival’s 14th.
Kathy Liu, director of the 2011 Victorian festival, has changed the focus to building connections across the centuries and showcasing links between then and now.
The new name — Victorian Heritage Days — reflects that change, said Pat Durbin, president of the Victorian Society in America, Northwest Chapter, which took over the festival from the Jefferson County Historical Society in 2009.
Schedule
Here is the schedule for Victorian Heritage Days this weekend.
Today
■ 11 a.m. — Bus tour leaving from the corner of Madison and Washington streets, $10.
■ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Hand-quilting demonstration, second floor of Vintage Hardware, 2000 Sims Way, free admission.
■ 11 a.m. — Guided tour of whale exhibit at Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Fort Worden State Park. Cost included in museum admission: $3 for adults, $1 for youths.
■ 12:30 p.m. — “Understanding Old Houses,” Kevin Palo, Seminar Building at Fort Worden State Park, $10 for adults and $5 for youths.
■ 2 p.m. — Bus tour leaving from the corner of Madison and Washington streets, $10.
■ 2 p.m. — “Weatherizing an Old Home,” Kevin Palo, Seminar Building at Fort Worden State Park, $10 for adults and $5 for youths.
■ 3:30 p.m. — “A Victorian Lady’s Winter Dressing Sequence,” modeled by Sarah Chrisman, Port Townsend City Hall council chambers, 250 Madison St., $7 for adults and $5 for youths.
■ 6:30 p.m. — Open house at 280 Quincy St.
■ 7 p.m. — Victorian Family Social, featuring family parlor games popular in Victorian times, 280 Quincy St., free admission.
Saturday
■ 9:30 a.m. — Victorian Parlor Games for Kids, 280 Quincy St., free admission.
■ 9:30 a.m. — Bus tour leaving from the corner of Madison and Washington streets, $10.
■ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Port Townsend Realtors free self-guided tour of historic homes. Maps available at Victorian Heritage ticket office at 2360 E. Sims Way and at www.victorianfestival.org/2011.
■ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Hand-quilting demonstration, second floor of Vintage Hardware, 2000 Sims Way, free admission.
■ 11 a.m. — Downtown walking tour leaving from the corner of Madison and Washington streets, $10.
■ 11 a.m. — “Weatherizing an Old Home,” Kevin Palo, Seminar Building at Fort Worden State Park, $10 for adults and $5 for youths.
■ 11 a.m. — “A Victorian Gentleman’s Dressing Sequence,” modeled by Gabriel Chrisman, Port Townsend City Hall council chambers, 250 Madison St., $7 for adults and $5 for youths.
■ 12:30 p.m. — Guided tour of whale exhibit at Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Fort Worden State Park. The cost is included with the price of admission to the museum: Adults get in for $3 and youths for $1.
■ 12:30 a.m. — Bus tour leaving from the corner of Madison and Washington streets, $10.
■ 2 p.m. — Uptown walking tour, leaving from the Rothschild House at the corner of Franklin and Taylor streets, $10.
■ 2 p.m. — “Understanding Old Houses,” Kevin Palo, Seminar Building at Fort Worden State Park, $10 for adults and $5 for youths.
■ 2 p.m. — Victorian Fashion Show, First Presbyterian Church, 111 Franklin St. Donations to the Jefferson County Historical Society Scholarship Fund will be accepted at the door.
■ 4 p.m. — Victorian Tea, in a historic building operating as a bed-and-breakfast inn. Advance tickets, which cost $25, are required for the teas. The location will be provided when tickets are purchased.
■ 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. — Equinox Dance: Hands Across the Centuries, JFK building at Fort Worden State Park; doors open at 7 p.m. for practice and instruction; admission $15 for adults, $8 for those younger than 18.
Sunday
■ 11 a.m. — Downtown walking tour leaving from the corner of Madison and Washington streets, $10.
■ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Hand-quilting demonstration, second floor of Vintage Hardware, 2000 Sims Way, free admission.
■ 12:30 p.m. — Uptown walking tour, leaving from the Rothschild House at the corner of Franklin and Taylor streets, $10.
■ 12:30 p.m. — Guided tour of whale exhibit at Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Fort Worden State Park. Cost included in museum admission: $3 for adults, $1 for youth.
■ 1 p.m. — Victorian Tea, in a historic building operating as a bed-and-breakfast inn. Advance tickets, which cost $25, are required for the teas. Location provided when tickets are purchased.
■ 2:30 p.m. — “Heads Held High,” exploring relationship between Victorian posture and clothing, Port Townsend City Hall council chambers, 250 Madison St., $7 for adults and $5 for youths.
Museums will be open all three days. These include the Coast Artillery Museum, the Commanding Officer’s Quarters and the Marine Science Center at Fort Worden and the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum, the Rothschild House and the Kelly Art Deco Light Museum in Port Townsend.
For more information, visit www.victorianfestival.org/2011.
