Secret Spaces Tour: Grant House - O. O. Howard House - Marshall House

The Historic Trust is pleased to offer this very special tour in honor of Preservation Month!

The Secret Spaces Three-House Tour will give participants a unique peek into parts of some of the oldest, grandest, and most well-preserved and restored places on Officers Row: the Grant House, the O. O. Howard House, and the Marshall House. By taking this tour, you will have access to see spaces that are typically off-limits to the general public. Volunteers and staff will be on hand at all three locations to answer questions and provide further interpretation.

THIS TOUR STARTS AT THE GRANT HOUSE AT 10AM. 

Your tour stop at each house begins at the top of the hour with a 10 to 15 minute seated educational session, providing historical and architectural background information about the spaces you are about to see. 

At 10am at the Grant House, you will begin in the east parlor with local historian Jeff Davis in character as President Ulysses S. Grant (circa 1879). This living history presentation will cover points of interest about that house that you will have the chance to explore, in addition to details about Grant's life and time at Vancouver Barracks. The Grant House is the oldest building on Officers Row, turning 176 years old in 2025. You will get a special up-close look at the interior and exterior (second floor) portions of this original log cabin. The building is also home to Willful Wine, so you'll get to have a peek into the wine bar, explore the second floor rooms (including a bit of early decor), the over-kitchen banquet room, and savor the view from the second floor balcony. At approximately 10:45am-10:50am, you will exit the Grant House and go to your second tour stop, the O. O. Howard House (approximately three-tenths of a mile walk).

At 11am at the O. O. Howard House, Julie Garver, board member for The Historic Trust and project manager for the City of Vancouver's rehabilitation of the house in the late 1990s, will give a presentation about the house and the unique challenges tackled during its restoration. Following the presentation, you'll be able to explore exhibits on the first floor about General Howard's life and time at Vancouver Barracks, check out the ornate fireplaces and architectural details that adorn what are currently private offices on the first and second floors, and pay a visit to the attic. At approximately 11:45am, you will exit the O. O. Howard House and go to your third and final tour stop, the Marshall House (approximately four-tenths of a mile walk).

At 12pm at the Marshall House, The Historic Trust's Director of Historic Preservation, Holly Chamberlain, will present an historical and architectural overview of the special spaces you will be allowed to explore, including stepping out into the turret. Tourgoers will be divided (to avoid overcrowding) with half starting their exploration on the second floor and the other half of the group exploring the first floor. First floor highlights include General Marshall's office, east parlor, west parlor, formal dining room, and media room with exhibits about Marshall's career. Second floor highlights include a visit to private offices and access to the attic, leading to a grand view and photo opportunity in the turret. Halfway through the exploration time, the groups will "switch" to the floor they have not explored. Your tour ends at 1pm.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: many of these spaces are only accessible by stairs. Please read the "Building Accessibility" information below to determine if this tour is right for you and your companions, if you are purchasing multiple tickets. All participants must be at least 12 years of age.

Ticket price includes all taxes and fees. 

Tickets are available in advance only. 

SECRET SPACES TOUR - BUILDING ACCESSIBLITY

These “Secret Spaces” tours are providing access to areas that are generally off-limits to the public, and are not fully accessible. Please use the following building descriptions to determine whether these tours are right for you.  Please let us know ahead of time if you have specific questions about accessibility.

Grant House (GH):

South side (Main) entrance is accessible by stairs. North (rear entrance) is accessible via a ramp to the back door. There is one accessible bathroom on the main floor. The second floor is only accessible by stairs. No ASL provided.

Guests are welcome to remain on the main floor after the opening presentation to explore additional resources about President Grant and visit the downstairs rooms. Volunteers and staff will be available to provide verbal interpretation of spaces on second floor.

O.O. Howard House (OOHH):

South side (Main) entrance is accessible by stairs. West entrance by employee parking lot is accessible without stairs. There is an elevator in the Howard House that provides access to the second floor. The attic is accessed via stairs only. The main floor has ADA accessible restrooms. No ASL provided.

Guests are welcome to explore the main floor and second floor via elevator. Volunteers and staff will be available to provide verbal interpretation of the attic space.

Marshall House (MH):

South side (Main) entrance is accessible by stairs. North (rear) entrance (with wheelchair accessible signage) is accessible via ramp. There is one accessible bathroom on the main floor. There is a chair lift available that provides access to the second floor. This tour includes a visit to the turret, which is only accessible by a narrow set of stairs to the attic from the second floor. No ASL provided.

Guests are welcome to remain on the main floor after the opening presentation to explore the rooms and additional resources about General Marshall. Volunteers and staff will be available to provide verbal interpretation of spaces on second floor and attic.