Pittock Mansion Tour – Part One

Yesterday I gave you a glimpse of the wonderful mansion my dear mother, my cousin and I toured last Friday. The Pittock Mansion sits high above the city of Portland, Oregon with a view that captures the imagination. On a clear day you have a fantastic view of five mountains in the Cascade Mountain Range. The twenty-two room mansion was the home of Oregon pioneers, Henry and Georgiana Pittock from nineteen-fourteen to nineteen-nineteen.

When we arrived the doors to the mansion had just opened. We stood in a short line outside in the portico and visited with others who shared our excitement to see this beauty all decked out for the holidays. The holiday theme this year is ‘Tinsel, Trees and Traditions: One Hundred Fifty Years of Christmas’.

We entered through a side door off the portico, walked through a tiny room that may have been a coat room, and then right into the Grand Hall. During the holiday season the Hall is decorated with evergreen garlands, poinsettias and miles and miles of red ribbon and bows.

I could almost imagine Mrs. Pittock gracefully coming down the Grand Stairs in her ball gown. Or, perhaps a child sliding down the banister!

The stairs are made of cut and polished marble; the banisters are made of cast bronze and hardwood.

Many hours of work by volunteers turned this fantastic, old home into a place of holiday magic and beauty!

Near the entrance, just off the Grand Hall, the Sitting Room was filled with holiday treasures galore.

Ornate carved hardwood mantels and paneling fill the house and a touch of the holidays greeted us as we began our self-guided tour. Volunteers stood nearby ready to answer our questions and give information or assist the guests.

Big chandeliers provide light throughout the mansion. The one in the sitting room caught my eye. Look at the ceiling – it’s breathtaking!

This house was designed with many progressive innovations – among them the indirect lighting in many of the rooms. I love the huge windows - most provide breathtaking views of Portland and the Willamette and Columbia Rivers below.

Next to the Sitting Room is the main door at the front of the mansion. One of the unique features of this home are several circular rooms. This one is home to the bronze bust of Henry Pittock. During the holiday season he ‘oversees’ a whimsical, little winter wonderland scene.

And then we entered my favorite room – the Music Room. It was filled with trees and beautiful furnishings and fantastic accessories. (I’ll share more of them later). The views from the windows are amazing!

Would you be surprised if I say that the instruments are my favorite part of the Music Room? I can only imagine what it must be like to sit here and play Henry and Georgiana’s eighteen-eighty-seven Steinway grand piano!

The decorations above the double French doors on each side of the Music Room are perfect!

A few minutes after we left the room we heard sweet holiday music. I left my dear mother and my cousin and returned to the Music Room to find a young lady gracefully playing Mr. Pittock’s piano. As we walked through the main floor of the mansion her beautiful holiday music added something special to our time together in this lovely home.

Beside the Music Room is another circular room with an entrance from the west porch. This one almost took our breath away - it seemed as if we had suddenly been transported to a world of fantasy and magic!

Such fun! It made me smile!

And then ahead. . .oh, what was ahead? Beauty and whimsy and more amazing rooms filled with holiday cheer and fun. Our tour will continue soon. Please join me again – I’m sure you won’t regret it!

You can read more about the Pittock family and their marvelous home here.