
Work Begins

Shrubs and trees around the Worthington house had grown a bit to close to the house, and needed to be cut back or removed in order to access the walls and begin preparations to redo the siding.
Similar work was necessary around the historic barn, which had become overgrown with vines and trees.


A nifty old boat was hidden in the barn, and needed to be removed to make room for structural restoration.
Trees which were just a little too close to the house for comfort needed to be trimmed or removed.

Grants and Honors Awarded

Between fundraising and the receipt of grants – including the C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust, managed by the Seattle Foundation – the Quilcene Museum completes the purchase of the Worthington Estate. Plans for Phase II – the renovation of the mansion and grounds – are under way.
To begin renovations, the mansion first had to be raised and moved for the construction of a new, modern foundation. The mansion was then returned to its original location.


The mansion is awarded a place in both the Washington State Heritage Registry of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places.
Husband-and-wife team Chuck Thrasher and Kathi Boyker are named project leaders for the ‘Raise the Roof’ Project of Phase II: replacing the existing roof with a Mansard-style roof to match the original design of the house, as well as to repair and replace the house’s siding to accommodate the rebuilt 3rd floor.

Phase II Begins

Lead paint on the exterior of the house had to be removed before proceeding with construction of the Mansard roof.
Volunteers and contractors continue work inside and out: scraping walls, rewiring, hauling materials, and rebuilding key features.


The kitchen, pictured here during initial stages of interior renovation.
The exterior of the mansion during preparations to rebuild the 3rd floor and Mansard roof.

Raising the Roof

With the exterior of the mansion structurally prepared for restoration of the original style roof, construction begins.
The interior of the Mansard roof during construction.


With structural work and framing done, it is time to add the new window panes.
The roof of the mansion is to be finished with 9,000 cedar shingles. Each shingle needed to be individually coated with finish, and set on a rack to dry.
Top: Volunteers working at the “dip and drip” event, coating shingles.
Bottom: Shingles finish drying inside the mansion – just about ready to be fitted into place.


Exterior Restorations Complete
The payoff from moths of hard work: the completed restoration of the mansion’s exterior. Next up is completing the interior restoration, as well as future plans for new landscaping around the grounds.
