SheSue Experience

I have decided to get out and do some Christmas stuff this year. I always say I’m going to, but never get around to it. I did go see the Nutcracker ballet last year with my daughter. That was fun. My first trip out this year was to see the Pittock Mansion. Their theme this year is ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. They decorated each room to match a verse of the famous story.

I hadn’t been to the mansion in about 20 years. It’s one of those touristy things that locals don’t seem to do. The mansion was started in 1909 and completed in 1914. Edward Foulkes was the architect commissioned

to build the home by Henry Pittock, a pioneer and newspaper publisher. The home occupies 16,000 square feet with 30 room; a three car garage; greenhouse and a servants’ residence all on 46 acres of land. At one time, there was a tennis court where the parking lot is now.

The furnishings and art work are period as well as porcelain, silver and glassware. In the rooms you’ll find authentic portraits of Henry and Georgiana, family photographs, their 1887 Steinway grand piano and

Henry’s ceremonial sword. For the time period, the mansion had many modern conveniences. Also like the time period, there were many small rooms with a larger room downstairs for entertaining.

The mansion is built 1,000 feet above the city of Portland. On a clear day you can see Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood. Unfortunately it was foggy when I was there as you can see in the pictures of the mansion. There are miles of hidden hiking trails to explore when the weather is nice.

Henry Pittock arrived in Oregon in 1853 “barefoot and penniless”. But he was a determined young man. He began working for the Oregonian newspaper as a typesetter and by 1860 took ownership. He went on to build an empire including real estate, banking, railroads, steamboats, sheep ranching, silver mining and the pulp and paper industry. Also in 1860, he married Georgiana Burton. Together they remained married for 58 years. They had 6 children and 18 grandchildren. The Pittock Mansion was their home from 1914 to 1919.

Each year the mansion develops a new theme at Christmas time. Each room was beautifully decorated with a placard announcing a verse of the story. There were mice and poinsettias all about the mansion. For children, they offered a game to locate the mice and poinsettias. The volunteers were knowledgeable and friendly offering to take photos. For more information, check out the Pittock Mansion