On two weekends, November 13-14, 20-21, the 1854 historic Nathaniel Orr home in Steilacoom will be open and decorated for the holidays. Special features will include antique timepieces, festive vintage clothing and live music. General admission is $7.50 and for museum members, $6.00. The hours are Saturdays from 10 to 4 and Sundays from 12 to 4. Located at 1811 Rainier Street, the pioneer home has original furnishings and the adjacent Wagon Shop and Museum will also be open.
In addition, on each of the Saturdays there will be antique appraisals in the museum by experts in the field. On Saturday, November 13, general category items will be appraised by Joe Lawson and his team from Hamilton Auction. Hours for the appraisals are 12:30 to 2:30 and cost is $5 per item with a maximum of three. On Saturday, November 20, appraisals of clocks and watches will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 by the Mount Rainier Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Each item is $3.00. Bring your heirlooms in for a local antique “roadshow” in Steilacoom.
The Bair Bistro at the corner of Wilkes and Lafayette will be accepting reservations for afternoon tea on these event days. Please call for reservations.
The Steilacoom Museum Store will have a special holiday display with seasonal merchandise during this event and continuing on weekends through December 5. Decorative items, ornaments, jewelry, accessories, books, wooden toys and unique Steilacoom items will be available. The new 2011 Steilacoom Museum calendar will be sold for $12 or $10 for three or more. This new calendar features historic photos of Steilacoom and contains many interesting historic facts.
For more information, please call the museum at 584-4133. The event is sponsored by the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association.