The Historic Trust’s Secret Spaces Tour will give participants a unique peek into typically unseen parts of three Officers Row homes: the Marshall House, Grant House, and O. O. Howard House.

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. Highlights in each location include:

Marshall House

• The Historic Trust’s Director of Historic Preservation, Holly Chamberlain, will provide the historical and architectural overview
• Access the turret via the attic for a beautiful view and photo opportunity
• Visit private offices on the second floor

Grant House

• Local historian Jeff Davis will be in character as President Ulysses S. Grant circa 1879 with a living history presentation about Grant’s life and time at Vancouver Barracks, and points of interest about the house
• Enjoy the view and get a special close-up look at the exterior portion of this log cabin from the 2nd floor balcony
• Browse the entire 2nd floor including the large over-kitchen banquet room

O. O. Howard House

• Julie Garver, who was 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
• Check out the ornate fireplaces and architectural details that adorn what are currently private offices
• Learn more about General Howard’s life & time at Vancouver Barracks, and get a great view when visiting the attic

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.

To purchase tickets, select the house for the start of your three-house tour below. Every tour will be the same, the only difference is your starting point. Ticket sales will end at 5pm PDT Friday, May 2, 2025. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door.

BUY TICKETS: Start At Marshall House

BUY TICKETS: Start At Grant House

BUY TICKETS: Start At O.O. Howard House

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.

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.

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.

We are grateful to Halbert Construction Services and Umpqua Bank for their support of The Historic Trust’s Preservation Month programming.