The Jefferson County Historical Society is hosting an open house at the historic Rothschild House on Taylor Street for people to get an up-close look at the brand-new, recently repaired roof on the 154-year-old building.

Set for 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 29, the public is invited to visit the Rothschild House and celebrate the unique objects, new roof, and historic beauty of the property. Folks will be able to tour around the house, picnic on the lawn overlooking Port Townsend and its surrounding waters, and enjoy lawn games.

The open house is free to attend with no reservations required, and donations are greatly appreciated.

With a budget between $55,000 and $62,000, professionals and historical society volunteers worked together for seven days in April to re-roof the Rothschild House with around 2,000 square feet of wood-shingle roofing and 120 feet of wood gutters.

Juxtaposing traditional building practices with modern construction standards, the new roof was built with attention toward historical accuracy and durability.

The Rothschild House was originally founded and constructed by D.C.H. Rothschild, a Bavarian baron who traveled around the world engaging in business enterprises. He settled in Port Townsend in 1858 and soon began a business named Kentucky Store, later named Rothschild and Co. Mercantile, which sold a variety of marine-oriented merchandise.

To learn more about the Rothschild House and the re-roofing project, visit jchsmuseum.org/About/Sites/RothschildHouse.html?mc_cid=a928f47574&mc_eid=8d36543669.