Pittock Mansion
From its lofty perch high in the West Hills, the imposing Pittock Mansion commands expansive views that extend over Portland’s skyline to the saw-toothed Cascade Mountains beyond. Completed in 1914 following 5 years of painstaking construction, the finished product stands as an enduring testament to the skills of the craftsmen who labored long and hard to deliver on Edward T. Foulkes’ ambitious blueprint. And boy were their efforts worth it.
The mansion’s striking sandstone facade flaunts bombastic architectural frills redolent of the French Renaissance style. While the mansion’s crowning glory – its red-tiled roof – accents those architectural flourishes in an assertive and attention-grabbing fashion. Moreover, the mansion’s uniquely-shaped footprint capitalizes on the eye-wateringly beautiful vista.
When you put all the pieces together, what you get is a great Portland landmark. It’s little wonder then that the property is open to the public as a historic house museum.
Background History
The property was built by Henry and Georgiana Pittock. Henry, for his part, was every bit the quintessential business mogul. Indeed, his varied portfolio of corporate interests spanned everything from the railroads to banking to mining. As a result, both he and his wife were pillars of late 19th and early 20th century Portland society. Sadly, however, both passed away shortly after construction was completed.
The mansion would remain in family hands until 1958. However, by 1964, local residents had to step in to prevent the building from being demolished following extensive storm damage. In total, locals raised the princely sum of $75,000 to help the city purchase the landmark residence. In 1965, shortly after the purchase went through, the mansion was opened to the public as a historic house museum.
Taking a Peek Inside
Linked by acres of wood and marble, the mansion’s interior is best described as a thrilling kaleidoscope of differing styles. The library is distinctly Jacobean. The dining room, by contrast, is unmistakably Edwardian. And, as if to keep you on your toes, the glorious marble staircase is unashamedly Parisien in style. Moreover, on top of all that, the interior can also be considered as something of a compendium of boundary-pushing period technology. Indeed, at the time of construction, the Pittock’s farsighted investment in thermostat-controlled central heating and indirect electric lighting established the mansion as an exemplar of technological progress.
There is, of course, plenty of room to accommodate this quirky medley of interleaving styles. All in all, the 16,000 square foot building encompasses 23 rooms. Each of which, to boot, is chock-full of antiques and interesting curios. For all their ornate intricacy, however, these pieces aren’t just period eye-candy. They also happen to provide a fascinating insight into the world of one of Portland’s most prominent founding families. As a result, the Pittock Mansion’s never less than absorbing permanent display is certainly a must-see for history buffs.
Taking a Tour of Pittock Mansion
Visitors have 2 options. They can opt to take either a self-guided tour or a guided tour. Visitors who prefer the self-guided option can pick up a map at the main entrance and then plot a course between the interpretive panels dotted strategically around the mansion, its grounds, and the nearby gate lodge. All in all, this should take about 1 hour.
The guided option, it should be noted, is limited to the mansion only. Moreover, the frequency of these tours is unpredictable as it depends on the number of volunteer guides available on a given day. That said, there is no extra cost involved and the tour lasts an informative 50 minutes.
Pittock Mansion’s Gorgeous Grounds
A visit to Pittock Mansion isn’t just about the house. In fact, in their own right, the grounds are every bit as spectacular. The property’s meticulously manicured gardens – now a public park incidentally – lavishly showcase an enviable array of rhododendrons, dogwoods, magnolias, and roses. And that’s just a small selection.
On top of that, the untamed knot of woodland to the rear of the mansion now forms part of a larger forest park. Crisscrossed as it is by a network of trails, the forested area is a veritable hiker’s paradise. Indeed, the mansion itself is today a waypoint on the breathtaking Wildwood Trail.
Entry Fee & Opening Hours
As it stands the Pittock Mansion is open from Thursday to Monday between 10 am – 5 pm. For the privilege, adult visitors can expect to pay $12. Seniors, meanwhile, have to cough up $10. While youth aged 6-18 are on the hook for $8. Entry is free, however, for children under 6 years of age.