Welcome! to the 2024 Holiday Tour of Historic Homes
The Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum (hereinafter OHS & BHM) is delighted to welcome you to the 2024 Annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. While suspended for four years due to the pandemic, OHS & BHM is once again hosting this beloved South Sound holiday tradition.
This year, we are proud to feature five significant historic homes in the South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District. In addition, the Bigelow House Museum is the scene of our annual holiday open house. Open to all home tour ticket-holders, you are welcome to view our ongoing work to restore and interpret the Bigelow House and enjoy seasonal decorations, refreshments and music.
The following narrative has been written to give you some insight into the history and historic architecture of the six homes on tour. We start with an introduction to the South Capital Neighborhood and text about the Coach House (located behind the Lord Mansion at 211 21st Avenue SW).
OHS & BHM is proud to share with you that the entire South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the largest historic districts in the state. All five of the tour homes contribute significantly to the character of the district as a result of having retained their historic architectural character or “integrity.” Also note that four of the tour homes (including the Bigelow House) are individually listed in the Olympia Heritage Register (OHR). Look for the circular OHR plaque near the entrance of these four homes with date of construction and a short description.
On page 6 of this document and following the historic and architectural narrative of the homes, is more information about what to expect on the day of the tour and tips to make your tour experience more enjoyable.
Overview of the South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District
The charming South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District is an ideal setting for a historic home tour. Geographically defined by Interstate 5 on the east, Capital Lake on the south and west, and the Washington State Capitol Campus Historic District on the north, the predominantly residential neighborhood was developed from the late 19th century to well into the 20th century. Bisected by major north-south transportation corridors including the early Cowlitz Trail and U.S. Highway 99 in the early 20th century, the neighborhood was convenient to major employers (such as the Olympia Brewery, waterfront mills and wharfs on Budd Inlet and Deschutes Rivers), the Capitol Campus, and businesses in downtown Olympia and Tumwater. Thus, South Capitol attracted waves of Euro-American migrants to the area who served as blue collar and service workers; in commerce; as well as government workers and elected officials. This diversity is reflected in the broad range of historic architectural styles and building traditions ranging from vernacular worker’s cottages to high-style architect-designed residences, churches, and institutions. Today’s home tour features excellent examples of the diversity of architectural styles fashionable in the 1920s plus the Gothic Revival Bigelow House dating to 1860.
The Lord Mansion and Coach House
Dating to 1923, the Lord Mansion is arguably one of the grandest residences in the South Sound region and easily evokes the economic prosperity and optimism of the “roaring 1920’s.” The house also embodies the ambitions of influential local banker and power-broker Clarence J. Lord.
With its dappled stucco exterior wall surface and clay-tile roof, the Lord Mansion is a virtually intact and excellent example of the Spanish Colonial Style. California native and Olympia’s most prolific and prominent 20th century architect, Joseph Wohleb often drew upon this Spanish influence in several of his prominent commissions during the prosperous 1920s. A nearby example is Lincoln Elementary School.
Nestled behind the Lord Mansion’s 21st Avenue façade, the Coach House is closely tied to the mansion in architectural style and materials. When built, the Coach House served not only as the garage but also had a small apartment on the 2nd floor for the Lord’s family staff. In recent decades this space has served as office space.
After Lord’s death in 1937, his surviving family members donated the property to the State of Washington in hope of its future use as a museum. This hope came to fruition with the 1941 opening of the State Capital Museum administered by the State Capital Museum Association. Since consolidation with the Washington State Historical Society, the building is now managed by the Evergreen State College and available to be rented as a wedding and event venue. -Though not open to the public on the tour date of December 8, please note that the OHS & BHM will host a gala fund-raising event on Thursday, April 24th at the Lord Mansion. Please save the date and plan to support the society during this festive evening.
The Coach House will be open on December 8 for tour ticket sales, tour information, hand-outs, and viewing a video on the Bigelow House Museum. Also available for tour goers is an accessible restroom.
- Overton House, circa 1932
The gracious Eugene E. and Cora Overton house is a notable and intact example of the Colonial Revival Style attributed to prominent Seattle architect William H. Whiteley. In addition to its brick exterior and symmetrical front façade, this substantial residence is distinguished by the finely crafted front entry portico with classically-inspired roof and columns. The grand front door opens into a spacious foyer and sweeping staircase to the second floor. At the top of the stairs, you can glimpse the “sewing room.” Other character-defining features of the Overton House interior include the leaded-glass window panes and lavish use of wood work. Don’t miss the original color tile-work in the bathroom just off the kitchen.
Overton was successful in the lumber industry owning a shingle mill in Ballard and mills in Mason, Pierce, and Thurston Counties and later in Oregon. The family had close ties to prominent Seattle businesses and families. Based on Daily Olympian accounts, the Overtons entertained frequently at this residence. This tradition was passed onto their son Hubert and wife Glenna who continued residing in the house into the 1960s.
On the tour, the current owners will have architect Whiteley’s original drawings from 1932 on display. The plans include the design for the garage that is also built of red brick and survives intact. You can catch a glimpse through the kitchen window.
It is rare to be able to see the original architectural drawings. Even rarer is to see the original landscape plan that will also be on display. Many thanks to the past and current owners who have preserved the drawings so that we can enjoy and learn from them today.
- The Christensen House, circa 1921
Maintaining a high profile in the South Capitol Neighborhood is the circa 1920 Christensen house built for Assistant State Attorney General Frank Christensen and wife Ruby. On your tour you will be treated to see the current owner’s recent remodeling work, including a new primary suite bathroom and new powder room.
Influenced by the popularity of Bungalow style homes from the late 19th through early 20th centuries, the Christensen House is noteworthy for its roofline that looks like it is tucked-under at the eaves. Thought to be inspired by English Arts & Crafts era interest in medieval thatched- roof houses, it is rare to find intact Northwest examples of simulated-thatch roof homes like the Christensen House. Rarer still is to have the home’s historic detached garage that also uses the simulated-thatch roof architectural theme. The Christensen garage can be seen behind the house and visible from 21st Avenue and the alley.
Today, built-in garages that house two, three and even more automobiles is an unspoken expectation of homebuyers. In contrast, for much of the first half of the 20th century, having a garage for only one car was a display of status and prosperity. Thus, architects and homebuilders devoted almost as much attention to the design, materials, and craftsmanship of the garage as to the residence itself. On the home tour, you will see good examples of historic and well-preserved garages ranging from the Coach House that served the Lord household to the more humble but still stylish one-car garage at the Christensen House. We extend our appreciation to past and present owners of these garages who have preserved these 20th century structures that contribute to the integrity and architectural character of the South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District.
- The Baude-Meyer House, circa 1926
This distinctive, finely detailed Tudor Revival house is recorded to have been “custom-designed” for Max C. and Mary Baude in 1926. Max, born in Poland, and Mary a native of Yorkshire, England, both arrived in Olympia in the 1890s and married in 1909. The Daily Olympian obituary called Max a “Well-Known Olympia Barber” who reportedly operated his successful barber shops in downtown Olympia. Mary was a lifetime member and officer with the State Capital Historical Association.
Also influenced by the English Arts & Crafts movement, the character-defining architectural features of the Baude-Meyer House include its steep-pitched roof planes, multi-paned windows, and the Tudor arch over the front door. An unusual design feature is the semi-octagonal tower with the tall, narrow, 21-pane window. Once inside, you will see this design element houses a dramatic winding staircase. Though not a large house, the Baude-Meyer home, with its singular architecture and charming garden, evokes images of an English country home. Perhaps Mary Baude’s youth in Yorkshire and interest in history influenced the design of this house.
As mentioned previously, also note the original detached garage just off the alley.
- The Tamblin-Meyer House, 218 18th Avenue SW, 1924
Now at 100 years in age, the Tamblin-Meyer house is an intact example of a Tumwater Ready-Cut Home. Sons of Swedish immigrants, by 1918 Tumwater’s Anderson brothers owned the Tumwater Lumber Mill (TLM) on the Deschutes River. Perhaps emulating the success enjoyed by major retailers like Sears, Roebuck & Co. to sell “kit” houses nationwide, the Anderson brothers began designing, manufacturing, and marketing pre-fabricated kit homes in 1922. From the 1920s and into the 1940s, it is estimated that 500 of these beautifully crafted homes were built in neighborhoods scattered across Olympia and Tumwater.
The first owner, Maude Tamblin, is an historical figure in her own right. As a single mother, she worked as Secretary of the State Board of Lands Commissioners and in 1912, she entered the statewide race on the Republican ticket for the office of State Lands Commissioner. Though unsuccessful, Tamblin continued working for state government with the Land Board Commission and Superintendent of Public Instruction. Inside, you will enjoy viewing historical materials about Tamblin and the house.
Since 1947, this house has been owned by the Meyer family starting with prominent attorney Ernest L. “Bud” Meyer who served as Olympia city attorney from 1960 to 1978. Bud and his wife Barbara raised nine sons in this home, one of whom is the current proud owner who will share photos and documents of the home’s rich heritage.
- The George and Addie Talcott House, 2003 Capitol Way South, 1924
Gracing the corner of Capitol Way and 20th Avenue SW, the Talcott House, like the Tamblin-Meyer House, is a ready-cut home ordered from the Tumwater Lumber Mills catalogue and is a skillful blend of Bungalow, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival architectural styles. The home’s character-defining features have been lovingly preserved and maintained by only four owners over the course of its 100 years, starting with George and Addie Talcott, followed by the Young, Fleming, and Shaw families. Be sure to look for the Talcott name spelled in mosaic tiles embedded in the entry sidewalks. Notably, the kitchen was tastefully remodeled in 2006, and the wrought iron fence was completed in 2022.
Longtime South Sound residents will associate the Talcott name with the successful Olympia downtown jewelry store. The family is also associated with early state history as designers and creators of the official Washington State seal. See https://www.sos.wa.gov/about-office/washington-state-seal/history-state-seal.
Like the Lord Mansion, the Christensen House, and Tamblin-Meyer House, the Talcott House is proudly listed in the Olympia Heritage Register and is a “contributing” property to the South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District.
The Bigelow House, 918 Glass Avenue NE, circa 1860
At 164 years of age, the Bigelow House is by far the oldest house on the home tour and widely thought to be the oldest surviving building in Olympia and one of the oldest in the state. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Olympia Heritage Register, the Bigelow House is significant as an excellent example of the Carpenter Gothic Revival architectural style. Fashionable from the 1830s to 60s and popularized in pattern books, character-defining features of the Gothic Revival Style seen at the Bigelow House include steeply pitched roof planes, decorative vergeboard attached to the gable eaves, and the iconic second-floor Gothic arch window on the second floor of west-facing façade.
In addition to its architectural significance, the Bigelow House is historically significant for its association with Harvard educated attorney Daniel R. Bigelow and his wife, educator Ann Elizabeth White Bigelow. Early Euro-American migrants to the Northwest, Daniel and Elizabeth staked-out a 160-acre Donation Land Claim in what is now northeast Olympia and constructed this home by 1860. Well educated and embracing progressive ideals of the time period such as women’s suffrage and temperance, Daniel and Ann Elizabeth were political and social leaders in fledging Olympia and Washington Territory. For example, the Bigelows hosted at their home in 1871 the nationally significant suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony.
Daniel and Ann Elizabeth were the first of four generations of Bigelows who subsequently lived in the home. In 1995, historic preservation-minded Daniel S. and MaryAnn Campbell Bigelow sold the property with a life estate to the Bigelow House Preservation Association (BHPA) to assure preservation of the home in-perpetuity. In 2013, the BHPA merged with the Olympia Historical Society to become the Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum (OHS & BHM).
On December 8, the Bigelow House Museum joins with the five South Capitol Neighborhood homes to comprise the 2024 Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. As part of the event, the Bigelow House will be open for visitors to tour the house, enjoy refreshments, and holiday décor. Also, local musician Jean Johanssen-Kuehn will be playing favorite tunes on the Bigelow’s grand Steinway piano in the Formal Parlor.
I Would Like to Know More
If you would like more information about what you have seen or heard on your tour today, just scroll down to the Resources section. In the Resources section we have listed websites of various organizations and agencies to help you explore on your own our rich history and historic places. Also note that OHS & BHM offers a free query service for questions about local history, persons, and historic places. Email your query to: olyhistoryresearch@gmail.com. We thank our member Historians who volunteer their time to respond to your questions.
The Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum
The Olympia Historic Society & Bigelow House Museum (hereinafter OHS & BHM) is a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, governed by a 15-member all-volunteer board of trustees. The society’s programming, operations, and Bigelow House preservation is financially supported by our membership dues, donations, and grants from private foundations and government agencies. Proceeds from the annual Holiday Historic Home Tour ticket sales are a major source of funding for OHS & BHM.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum honors and respects the Squaxin Island People. From time immemorial Squaxin people have lived in harmony with the water, land, and air, and whose current generations continue nurturing this rich heritage. The City of Olympia and the Museum are located on the traditional homelands of the Squaxin Island Tribe. This expansive area includes present-day Olympia where the Squaxin village Steh-Chass once flourished as the people of Squaxin have for many millennia.
Our Mission Statement
The OHS & BHM preserves and shares the history and heritage of Olympia and the Bigelow House in a way that recognizes and values the diversity and rich cultures that gave rise to our community, is inclusive of all persons and perspectives, and informs and engages community members and visitors.
Day of the Tour: What to Know
Tickets
Pre-sale of Holiday Historic Home Tour tickets were sold at these local merchants: Childhood’s End Gallery and Dree’s in downtown Olympia and Thompson’s Furniture in Tumwater.
Coach House: On tour day, tour tickets can be purchased for $35.00 each from OHS & BHM volunteers at the Coach House, located directly behind the Lord Mansion at 211 West 21st Avenue. Also at the Coach House will be informational brochures, publications, postcards, and OHS & BHM membership forms as well as information about our co-host the Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance (AHA) and proposed museum at the Old City Hall & Fire Station. There will also be information about the City of Olympia’s Heritage Commission.
Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted for payment.
We are also excited to premiere for your viewing a 13-minute video featuring the Bigelow House Museum.
Bigelow House: On tour day, tickets will also be sold at the Bigelow House Museum. The museum is located at 918 Glass Avenue NE, just off East Bay Drive. Kick-off your tour day by touring the Bigelow House Museum, viewing exhibits, and enjoying the festive atmosphere, refreshments, and music. Cash, check, and credit cards accepted for payment.
Hold onto your ticket and keep it handy
Your ticket provides you with a neighborhood map that locates the six homes on this year’s tour along with a photo and brief description of the homes you are about to enjoy. This ticket is also your pass to enter the tour homes. Please keep this ticket with you on the tour day. Also be prepared to quickly show your ticket to the tour docent at the front-door to demonstrate that you have paid.
Please note: On the day of the tour, tickets will be sold only at the Coach House and the Bigelow House; tickets will not be available or sold at the other five homes on the tour.
Restrooms
An accessible restroom is available at both the Coach House and the Bigelow House Museum.
Location
Five of the six homes on today’s tour are concentrated in the heart of the South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District in an area bounded by Capitol Way on the east, Water Street on the west, 18th Avenue on the north, and 22nd Avenue on the south, all within easy walking distance of the Coach House and each other.
All homes are numbered from 1 to 6. Consult the map on your ticket to see the house location relative to the Coach House and each other.
Look for the Holiday Tour of Historic Homes signs on the front lawn of each home on the tour to be sure you are in the right place.
Please note that the homes can be visited in any order that you prefer or is convenient for you; consult the tour map to plan out your tour route.
Please note that the Bigelow House (#6 on inset map) is located in the Bigelow Neighborhood at 918 Glass Avenue NE off of East Bay Drive and about a 10-minute drive from the Coach House.
Times
The Coach House, Bigelow House Museum, and the homes on tour will open doors to tour goers at 12:00 noon on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The tour ends four hours later at 4:00 pm. Past experience shows that the first 2 hours tend to be the busiest; but lines tend to dissipate after 2:30 or 3:00 pm.
Parking
There is no designated or reserved parking areas for home tour ticket holders. There are a handful of parking spaces behind the Lord Mansion accessed off 21st Avenue. Otherwise, be prepared to find parallel on-street parking along South Capitol neighborhood streets. Be aware of signed parking restrictions. On many neighborhood streets, parking is allowed only on one side of the street (Water Street for example). Also, please be considerate of residents and do not block driveways. Off-street parking is available at Lincoln Elementary School and Stevens Field one block east of Capitol Way. To be safe it is recommended to use a signaled pedestrian crossing at 21st Avenue (at the Frog Pond grocery).
Why not leave your car at home and take Intercity Transit Bus Route 13? Weekend bus schedules arrive at the Capitol Way and 21st Avenue stop every half hour. Go to: https://www.intercitytransit.com/plan-your-trip/routes/13 to plan your trip.
As the tour ends at 4:00 pm, remember that daylight will be fading fast by that hour. So, carrying a flashlight or using your cell phone light might be helpful to safely find your way back to your car or bus stop.
Dress for the Weather, and Shoes
This is December, so be prepared to dress for chilly and/or damp weather. Since you will be walking, wearing comfortable, water resistant, and easy slip-off/slip-on footwear is strongly recommended. Be advised that at the front door, tour docents will ask you to remove your shoes before touring the home in order to minimize bringing dirt and grit onto carpeting or historic flooring and rugs. Disposable booties will be provided to you at the door where you can leave your shoes while inside. Some veteran tour-goers bring their own tote bag to carry their shoes with them while inside. One or two folding chairs will be available at each front door to help you slip-off and slip-on your shoes.
You are a Guest
OHS & BHM is grateful to homeowners who have agreed to open their homes for your enjoyment. It will be clear that they are proud of the effort they have invested to preserve these historic homes for their family and to share this heritage with our community. They have worked weeks, if not months, cleaning, and decorating to get ready for tour day.
In a few instances, the homeowners may be on hand in their home during tour hours. If so, they will be happy to answer questions or share stories about their preservation work or interesting furnishings. OHS & BHM docents will also be located in many of the rooms to point out unusual features or tidbits of historic interest.
In this light, please be appreciative for their sharing and respect tour guidelines printed on the back page of your ticket. As a reminder, please do not touch or handle items in the house or open closed doors or enter rooms that are not open for viewing. Also, please carry coats or shoes close to you while inside. If raining, please leave wet umbrellas outside; a docent will be at the front door to monitor those entering or exiting.
Tour Docents
Our tour docents play an important role on the day of the event. They are volunteering their time to OHS & BHM to make your tour experience as safe, efficient, and informative as possible. They are stationed in several rooms throughout the house to guide your path, answer questions, and caution you about steps or uneven surfaces. They may also point out items of interest or give some historical background.
At the Front Door
It is important to note that a docent will be stationed at the front door of each house you visit during the tour. The front door docent will greet and welcome you into the home you are visiting. They will also check your ticket and give you instructions about removing shoes, putting on booties, and orient you on your path through the house. The front door docent also plays an important role in managing traffic flow into and through the house in order to prevent overcrowding or conflicting traffic flows. As mentioned above, early hours of the tour can be hectic with lines of tour-goers forming outside waiting to get in. In these circumstances, please be understanding and patient.
Accessibility
For those who are physically challenged by steps, please note that only the first floor of most of the homes on tour this year will be open for viewing. The exception is the Bigelow House where the upstairs will open to visitors. That said, also note that many of the homes have a few steps leading up to a porch or front door. If that poses a challenge, please feel free to use a cane, walker, or the assistance of a companion, or ask a docent if there is another entry into the house. Also note that both the Coach House and Bigelow House have an accessible bathroom. At the Bigelow House, the dining room has an entry that is wheelchair accessible.
Our Thanks and Acknowledgements
The Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum (OHS & BHM) is grateful to the many individuals, businesses, and organizations who contributed so generously to the success of our 2024 Holiday Tour of History Homes. Our sincere thanks go to the following:
Our Historic Home Tour Home Owners
This popular local holiday tradition would not be possible without the support of the families who have generously opened their homes for this event. They have carved out time from their busy schedules in preparing to make your tour experience enjoyable.
From a broader perspective, OHS & BHM also appreciates our community-spirited tour home owners who have made a significant and ongoing commitment to preserve and rehabilitate their historic properties for the pleasure and benefit of present and future Olympians.
Our Historic Home Tour Docents
Our home tour docents have volunteered time from their busy schedules to greet you at the door, guide you through each home, and share their knowledge and appreciation of these six historic homes. We also give special thanks to pianist Jean Kuehn who is providing music on the Bigelow’s historic piano and to six high schools students who are serving as docents at the Bigelow House.
Our Sponsors and Retail Outlets
On the back cover of your ticket, you will see the names and logos of our event sponsors who have generously sponsored this event with financial support, in-kind service, and time. Also, we thank Childhood’s End Gallery, Drees of Olympia, and Thompson’s Furniture and Gifts for serving as outlets for tour ticket sales. Whenever possible, we encourage you to patronize these fine, community-minded organizations.
Our OHS & BHM Members and Board of Trustees
The ongoing support and loyalty of members of the Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum is critical in making possible the Holiday Tour of Historic Homes and other society events and programming. Their support also sustains our ongoing tours of the Bigelow House Museum and restoration work of the building.
Beginning months in advance, putting on the home tour requires hours, if not days of planning, meetings, and decision-making by members of the OHS & BHM Board of Trustees. The organization appreciates the time given by our trustees and especially those board members who serve on the society’s Events Committee. Committee members are Cheryl Bayle, Greg Griffith, Vickie MacMillan, Dwight Moody, Ann Olson, Jill Rosenkrantz, Shanna Stevenson and Erin Whitesel-Jones. Extra special recognition goes to Events Committee Chair David Goularte for his tireless work and hours of time dedicated to making the home tour a success.
Our Community and Colleagues in Heritage
As the historical society for Olympia, OHS & BHM is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of all persons and places that have helped to create the community we love to call home (see our Mission Statement above). We are also dedicated to preserving and sharing the Bigelow House Museum as a significant and tangible link to our past in order to inform and shape the city’s future.
We also recognize and thank our colleague organizations, agencies, and Tribes dedicated to protecting and sharing our local heritage. Like OHS & BHM, these entities are comprised of individuals who volunteer their time and personal resources to research, document, and preserve local history, culture, and historic places. We encourage you to visit the museums, participate in programs, and become a member in order to help sustain the work of these organizations.
Resources
The following selection of websites are recommended to aid your interest or curiosity about topics related to the Home Tour such as local history, historic preservation, historical research, etc. This is by no means an exhaustive list but a starting point of your exploration.
American Association for State and Local History: https://aaslh.org/
Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance (Tour Co-Sponsor): https://www.olyaha.org/
OHS & BHM Queries: olyhistoryresearch@gmail.com
Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum: https://olympiahistory.org/resources-for-researching-olympias-history/
City of Olympia Heritage Commission and Historic Preservation:
https://www.olympiawa.gov/community/arts,_culture___heritage/historic_preservation/index.php
Historic Seattle: https://historicseattle.org/
National Park Service-National Register of Historic Places: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/index.htm
National Park Service-Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/taxincentives/secretarys-standards-rehabilitation.htm
National Trust for Historic Preservation: https://savingplaces.org
Olympia Genealogical Society: https://olygensoc.org/
Squaxin Island Museum: https://squaxinislandmuseum.org/
Thurston County Historic Commission: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/historic-commission
Washington Museum Association: https://washingtonmuseumassociation.org/
Washington State Archives: https://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/
Washington State Library: https://www2.sos.wa.gov/library/
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and WISAARD searchable database: https://dahp.wa.gov/
Washington State Historical Society: https://www.washingtonhistory.org/
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation & Maritime WA National Heritage Area: https://preservewa.org/