Quilcene’s Worthington Park mansion is lifted five feet off the ground, without any fundraising, thanks to a local man.
Jeff Monroe of Monroe House Moving volunteered to move the historic (1892) …
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These men volunteered their considerable pool of expertise for the Quilcene Historical Museum's latest stage of the ongoing Worthington Park project – moving a Victorian home for a foundation rebuild. Pictured are (from left) John Kunkel of Seattle, Greg Hudson of Sequim, Chris Johnson of Marysville, Quilcene's Jeff Monroe as project leader, Travis Reeve of Quilcene (seated), Lester Vilnes of Everett, and James Dent of Pacific. Photo by Viviann Kuehl
Quilcene's Worthington mansion is now elevated five feet off its foundation, the first phase in replacing the 1892 structure's foundation. Quilcene Historical Museum raised funds to purchase the house and grounds in 2013. Photo by Viviann Kuehl
Quilcene’s Worthington Park mansion is lifted five feet off the ground, without any fundraising, thanks to a local man.
Jeff Monroe of Monroe House Moving volunteered to move the historic (1892) two-story structure in preparation for a new foundation.
He called in six other men, who also donated their time and considerable expertise in house moving, to raise the 130-ton house on Saturday, Oct. 19. The building was slide back into place on Oct. 24.
“It’s moving a chimney, and the rest of the house comes with it,” said Monroe, who made a special frame to support the brick chimney with concrete pumped into the base, as part of his careful preparation.
The house is part of a $300,000, 10-acre property purchase the Quilcene Historical Museum achieved this summer thanks to local and regional fundraising. A $210,000 state legislative grant allowed organizers to begin restoration of the four-bedroom, two-bath home that one day could be suitable for conferences or seminars as well as weddings and parties. Having contractors volunteer to move the house means that grant money can be stretched even further.
The house was resting on three cedar logs and sinking, causing distortion to the front side, said Mari Phillips, organizer for Phase I of the Worthington Restoration project.
The next step is to move the elevated house aside so the old foundation can be removed. Once a new foundation is prepared, the house is moved back into place. The work is expected to be completed in the next few months, depending on weather and scheduling constraints, said Phillips.
When the house is repositioned and utilities reconnected, Phase I is complete. Phillips said Phase II includes a decision regarding possible restoration of the original third-floor ballroom.
Learn more at worthingtonparkquilcene.org.
