Have you seen the large brick building situated right next to the freeway as you were driving through downtown Vancouver on I-5, and wondered what’s inside?

The Historic Trust is pleased to offer you the opportunity to see for yourself!

The Secret Spaces Post Hospital Tour will give participants a chance to step back in time and imagine the rooms of this historic building in action. Built in 1903-1904, the Post Hospital was considered cutting-edge for its time, including being one of the first in the nation to have space purpose-built for taking and developing x-ray images.

Today, many of the building’s original structural features remain:

• Tin ceiling tiles
• Coved ceilings
• Woodwork
• Sun porches to support recovery of tuberculosis patients

With access to explore spaces on all four floors, you’ll get an exclusive peek inside this structure that has been off-limits to the public for decades.

Your 1.5-hour experience begins across the street from the Post Hospital at the Red Cross Building with a brief 10 to 15 minute seated educational session. The Historic Trust’s Director of Historic Preservation, Holly Chamberlain, will provide historical and architectural background information about changes the building has seen over time, and about the spaces you’ll get to explore. Your time in the hospital will not be guided. Most spaces will be open for you to walk through or look into, so you can see the building at your own pace within the allotted time frame.

Two tour times will be offered:

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tickets are $35 per person (price includes any applicable taxes and fees) and are only available for purchase in advance while supplies last.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE: The Post Hospital is only accessible by stairs, and movement between floors inside the building is via stairs only. 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. All participants must wear closed-toe flat shoes.

To purchase tickets, click the BUY TICKETS link below. When on the ticket sales page, select your tour start time (9:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.) by clicking the drop-down menu under “Choose a Date.”

NOTE: Tickets go on sale at 9 am, Friday, October 3, 2025

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

SECRET SPACES TOUR – BUILDING ACCESSIBLITY

This “Secret Spaces” tour includes areas that are generally off-limits to the public and are not fully accessible. Please use the following building description to determine whether this tour is right for you.  Please let us know ahead of time if you have specific questions about accessibility: 360.992.1800 or info@thehistorictrust.org.

Post Hospital Tour

The Post Hospital is currently only utilized by The Historic Trust staff and is not open to the public. It is being opened for this special “Secret Spaces” tour only. The building is only accessible by stairs, and movement between floors within the building is via stairs only. There are no accessibility accommodations in place. No ASL provided.

Guests are welcome to purchase tickets to enjoy the brief (10-15 minute) opening presentation about the Post Hospital, which will be held in the Red Cross Building (RCB) and forego exploration of the Post Hospital building requiring mobility. The Red Cross Building is accessible via a ramp on the east side of the building with access from the north. There are accessible restrooms on the main floor.

This event is a fundraiser for The Historic Trust, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Proceeds from ticket sales support its mission to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, preservation, and celebration of our community’s history.

Supporting Sponsor: