Pittock Mansion Marks 50 Years of Holiday Cheer

2006 - Tree in the Music Room in 2006

Portland, OR. Did you know it is Pittock Mansion’s 50th year decorating for the holidays? The tradition began in 1966 with a large live tree in the music room trimmed with ornaments made by Laurelhurst Elementary students. Today, many Portlanders make visiting Pittock Mansion’s holiday display a part of their family’s holiday traditions. Inspired by symbols of the season from angels, ornaments, and evergreens to snowflakes, sleds, and Santa Claus, this year’s display spans 15 spaces inside historic Pittock Mansion, featuring 39 Christmas trees large and small and live holiday music daily.

The tree in the Music Room in 1967.

The tree in the Music Room in 1983.

This year’s holiday display in the Music Room, created by Rosanne Sachson, include a nod to the room’s original interior decorator Bertha Stuart.

This year’s decorations in the Breakfast Room.

Thousands of families visit the Pittock Mansion during the holidays.

The snow is melting now and visitors are welcome.

From the Pittock Mansion.

Celebrate the wonders of the holidays at Symbols of the Season, Pittock Mansion’s annual holiday exhibit open through December 31*. Local musicians will play daily in the mansion’s Music Room 11:30am – 1:30pm & 2pm – 4pm, based on volunteer availability. Take the free shuttle from Sunset Transit Center December 17 through December 31* and receive $1 off each admission. The shuttle from Sunset Transit Center to Pittock Mansion will depart 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Return trips from Pittock Mansion back to Sunset Transit Center depart 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm. This shuttle is provided thanks to a partnership with America’s Hub World Tours. For details, contact Pittock Mansion. Please call ahead to confirm shuttle service during inclement weather.

Shuttle service is provided by a 12-passenger van marked with a sign identifying it as the shuttle to Pittock Mansion. Shuttle vans are not wheelchair accessible. (TriMet offers some door-to-door neighborhood shuttle service through their Ride Connection program. Find out more at http://trimet.org/access/index.htm) Shuttle vans may have extra cargo space for strollers, but do not have children’s seats for transportation.

*Pittock Mansion will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.