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Annual Report
2007
JCHS Mission: To
actively discover, collect, preserve, and promote the heritage |
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Rothschild House May was wet and chilly but an exquisite temporary exhibit of historic wedding gowns drew many visitors. Becky Schurmann's careful selection and presentation of each gown was exceptional. The "Victorian Parlor Day" was a success in spite of the rain. Volunteer docents dressed in Victorian attire and taught parlor games and entertained visitors with poetry. Parlor Day guests enjoyed listening to 12 year old Heather Chochrach play the 1886 Rothschild piano while 13-year-old Irene Fletcher sang Victorian era songs. In June a "Language of Flowers" event, in connection with the vintage bridal gown exhibit, gave visitors the opportunity to make their own tussie-mussie bouquets. Dorette Rothschild Lemon and her family visited in early June. Dorette generously shared stories and memories of her family and the Rothschild House. July 4th was celebrated in good old fashion style with a flag waving parade from the Bell Tower to the Rothschild House, led by Boy Scout Troop #477. At the park the scouts raised the American, Washington State and the Rothschild Family flags. The rest of the 4th was spent playing lawn games, sipping lemonade and eating ice cream. "Friends of the Rothschild House" hosted a garden tea party in honor of Emilie Rothschild on August 19. Fifty-five tea drinkers were treated to an elegant afternoon of live music, marvelous food and tea, all in the incredibly picturesque Rothschild House garden. The tea party was fun and profitable for JCHS - again, it was the volunteers who made it rewarding and successful. The wedding gown exhibit was replaced mid summer by a charming assortment of quilts. The exhibit attracted many quilters to the museum to view styles and sewing techniques that spanned more than 100 years. The Jefferson County Healthcare Hospital Auxiliary included the Rothschild House on their annual Victorian Homes Tour in August. More than 630 people visited the house and garden. Several talented Jefferson County singers donated their time and talents singing in the Rothschild parlor while guests explored the house. During the course of the season several groups made good use of the Rothschild House Museum and Park. Washington State Parks held on-site historic preservation classes and Cruise West tour groups made the Rothschild House one of the destinations on their shore excursion. In October, at the season's end, I made some observations on the condition of both the house and the grounds. I wrote a letter to State Parks sharing my concerns and ideas. The cistern/well cover was in poor condition—State Parks made plans for its replacement. I reported splitting of an exterior board on the upper level of the house—repairs have not yet been scheduled. The old cherry tree was scheduled for removal during the winter—I suggested that this would open up a great opportunity to plant an new educational and historically-appropriate herb garden. Hopefully with the governor's $60,000 budget to fund an assessment of the Rothschild House, many of these issues will be addressed. As I review the 2007 season at the Rothschild House Museum and State Park, I am filled with pride and gratitude. Being associated with JCHS and the "Friends of the Rothschild House" is an honor. The "Friends" is a group of incredibly generous and talented people—they are the day-to-day success at this wonderful historic home museum. From May through September these volunteers donated over 600 hours greeting each guest with enthusiasm and telling the Rothschild story with passion and knowledge.
Phyllis Snyder, Home Page News & Events Hours & Directions
Jefferson County
Historical Society |
