PRESS RELEASE

Snohomish Historical Society, Snohomish, Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SENT:  July 18, 2008                                                                                    CONTACT:  Marta Gronlund

                                                                                                                              Voice:  425-556-2427

                                                                                                                             Mobile:  206-498-8054

                                                                                                                 martagronlund@verizon.net

HISTORIC SNOHOMISH HOME TOUR HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Snohomish, WA – The Snohomish Historical Society’s 37th Historic Snohomish Home Tour will be its largest yet.  This year, the Society is joining with Historic Downtown Snohomish to present   something truly unique; a home and building tour of the architectural work of one of Snohomish’s first architects, John S. White (1845-1920). 

Six homes and six commercial buildings will be open for viewing.  An additional eight historic sites will be signed and interpreted through a detailed tour guide.  All sites are located within or very close to the registered historical district.  Some highlights of the tour include White’s original Snohomish home (1888), the First Methodist Church (1885), the Burns Block (1890) and the A.M. Blackman Grocery Store (1889) now the Oxford Tavern, which will host a swing dance to close the tour. 

“It could be said John White was the architect to the stars in early Snohomish,” notes historian Warner Blake, chair of this year’s tour.  “He designed and built homes for two of the city’s important founders, E. C. Ferguson and Mary Low Sinclair.  Unfortunately neither home has survived the ravages of time but the grandeur and history of both will be highlighted with signage and in the tour brochure.”

There is still time to volunteer to work in one of the homes, enriching the tour experience for the visitors.  An interest in the history of Snohomish is the only requirement.  Volunteers are invited to a preview reception where they are able to tour the homes and commercial buildings for free; or share a free ticket with a partner and split the five hour shift.

The Home Tour is on Sunday, September 21 from 12 noon to 5 pm.  Tickets will be available in early August from many downtown businesses and at the Blackman House Museum.  Prices for advance ticket sales are $15 and $10 for seniors (62+).  The most popular of regional home tours, the Historic Snohomish Home Tour, is a major fundraiser for the Society which owns and operates the Blackman House Museum and Waltz Building Community Hall in downtown.

For additional information or to volunteer, contact warnerblake@blackmanhouse.org or 360-568-5235 and leave a message.

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