Open to View (formerly Teas & Tours)

Volunteers at the August 7th, 2004 Tea & Tour at the Eddy Residence in Medina. From l-r: Agnes Divoky, JoAnne King, MarLen Kaiser, Mae Desmond, Jan Roe, Gwen Ballard, Jan Oldershaw, Suzanne Howard, and Luci Baker. Photo: Peri Muhich.

Open to View (Tea & Tours) is a popular offering of Historic Seattle, and is a benefit limited to members and their guests. We are privileged to explore historic private residences that are rarely or never open to public view.

In the past 30 years members have toured some extraordinary residences including, but not limited to Coleman House on Queen Anne, the Laurence Colman Estate in West Seattle, and even the condo in the top of the infamous Smith Tower in Pioneer Square.

Volunteers are actively involved in all aspects of these events. Currently Lynn Moore is the Lead Volunteer for Open to View events. Her experience in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority an international women's friendship network, and as a Tea & Tour docent provided her with the necessary skills and talent to know what's needed and how to get the tasks done to perfection. Lynn recruits the volunteer docents and brings all the "accoutrements" that are necessary to our noteworthy teas. She's the one in the kitchen with the apron and a smile.

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Volunteer Docents!

We are always looking for volunteers who can help the day of the tour. The commitment primarily involves serving as a docent at the tour house on the day of the event (usually a Sunday) and helping prepare and serve refreshments; guide people through the home; assist with parking needs; and other duties as assigned. We typically use between 14-20 volunteers per event.

If you are fascinated by older residential architecture, enjoy sharing your enthusiasm with others, and would like an insider's view of some of Seattle's most significant homes, consider signing up to be an Open to View volunteer.

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In the Past …

To get a sense of the types of residences we’ve toured, below are links to our prior Open to View events. Click on the picture to take you to the original registration page for this event and read about the home that was toured.

2011

Parker-Fresen House, Capitol Hill