Live the Victorian life for a weekend in historic Port Townsend, March 21-23, 2014, and enjoy everything the Victorian Festival has to offer.

When thinking of Port Townsend’s early days, images of shipping and lumber, rough streets and genteel houses spring to mind, but the U.S. Army established Fort Townsend in 1856. The 18th Annual Victorian Festival looks at how the military shaped culture during those volatile decades of expansion, civil war, and economic tumult.

Here’s a quick glimpse of activities to participate in over the weekend, but for more details and to purchase your ticket, go to www.VictorianFestival.org.

Start with a Victorian Pub Crawl on Friday night, featuring sea shanties, saloons, “shanghai tunnels,” and fine vintage cocktails throughout a staggering selection of Port Townsends (in)famous watering holes.

Saturday is filled with fascinating events and presentations you won’t want to miss. Manliness in the Morning begins at 11:30 am, a very civilized hour for any gentleman. Learn about Victorian Bicycles or how the Military Influenced Women’s Fashions, as well as Steamboat Rides departing from Point Hudson Marina, all at 12:30 pm. At 2:30 pm, enjoy a Fencing Demonstration or discover the secrets behind Victorian Corsets. A perennial favorite of the festival is the Victorian Fashion Show at 4 pm and the Victorian Ball from 7-11 pm. Many more presentations and activities are offered throughout the weekend, so be sure to check out the full schedule at www.VictorianFestival.org.

Enjoy a Victorian Walking Tour (photo by Kevin Mason)

Sunday morning, take the Insiders’ Historic Building Tour and see for yourself the incredible, authentic buildings of this Victorian Seaport. Join Port Townsend’s Main Street Program [link to Main St page] for the Tour—your ticket inside four of Port Townsend’s cornerstones. Tour these splendid edifices with docents who can offer the inside scoop on when and why, who and how.

It’s a weekend of fun and history, you won’t want to miss.

Hastings Building c.1889

The Port Townsend Main Street Program is coordinating the “Insider’s Historic Building Tours”—with Downtown and Uptown Tours on Sunday, March 23, 2014 during the Victorian Festival. The tours reveal intriguing stories from the past and visions for the future. Knowledgeable guides will lead the tours. Tickets are on sale now for $10 each from the Port Townsend Victorian Festival’s website at www.vicfest.org.

DOWNTOWN TOUR FROM 11 AM TO 12:45 PM

The Fowler Building (aka The Leader Building) 226 Adams Street

• Capt. Enoch S. Fowler, a skipper and early Port Townsend entrepreneur, built this two-story building from sandstone quarried from Marrowstone Island in 1874.
• The Leader is celebrating its125 anniversary this year.
• Tour Leader: Scott Wilson, Publisher of the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

The Mount Baker Block Building 1890  211 Taylor Street

• Get a first-hand look at Port Townsend’s “shanghai tunnels” in an 1890 building erected by Port Townsend’s first mayor.
• Tour Leader: Mari Mullen, Executive Director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.

The Eisenbeis Building, 1889–2013 830 Water Street.

• Built in 1889 by Port Townsend’s first mayor, Charles Eisenbeis, this historic building, constructed with Port Townsend bricks, has been completely renovated into a mixed-use building.
• Tour Leader: Michelle Sandoval, Windermere Real Estate

The Hastings Building 1889 833-839 Water Street

• Climb the stairs to the past at the landmark Hastings Building and get a rare look at a grand historic building frozen in time, but poised for an exciting transformation.
• Tour Leader: Heather Dudley Nollette, Project Manager for the Hastings Building (and descendent of Lucinda & Loren B. Hastings, the original building owners).
• Please note: These historic buildings are accessed by steep stairways.  The Eisenbeis Building and the Mount Baker Block are ADA Accessible on the upper floors via elevator.

UPTOWN TOUR FROM 1 PM TO 3 PM

Meet Us At The Bell Tower—At The Top Of Haller Stairs at Tyler/Jefferson Streets

The Bell Tower 1890– near the top of the Haller Fountain Stairs (Tyler/Jefferson)

• Hear about the history of Uptown and how it evolved and will be able to go inside the Bell Tower’s main floor.
• Tour Leader: Bill Tennent, Director, The Jefferson County Historical Society

The Gallus Rutz Building Built 1889 1044 Lawrence Street

• Built in 1889 by Dr. Gallus Rutz.
• The tour includes a sneak peak at “Grandma Lily’s Apartment” upstairs, decorated with nostalgic flair.
• Tour Leader: Building Owner Helen Gunn

The Barthrop House (aka The Quimper Inn Bed & Breakfast)

• 1306 Franklin
• It was built by Captain Henry Morgan in 1888 and is now the home of The Quimper Inn.
• Tour Leaders: Owners Sue and Ron Ramage
• Please note: Access to the upper floors of these historic buildings include stairs.

Events subject to change.

The Port Townsend Main Street Program has a new event on tap  – the Port Townsend Pub Crawl in the historic districts of PT. Set to take place quarterly, the first Crawl is set for St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2014 from 6pm-10pm.

“The goal of the pub crawl is to get people out circulating, socializing, and having fun on a Monday night,” according to Mari Mullen, the executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program. “It’s a way to highlight the nightlife of Uptown and Downtown and offer some new things to do.

For the low cost of $10, participants will receive an official “Port Townsend Pub Crawl” souvenir glass, and a wristband which earns them drink and appetizer specials during the event. Venues will also offer an activity to encourage participants to come to their location.

The Belmont – 925 Water St.

• Everybody’s Brewery IPA or Lager Beer for $3.
• Complementary non-alcoholic beverage for designated drivers.

Cellar Door – 940 Water St.

• $2 Oly’s on Draft, $1 Off Cocktail Menu & Well Drinks!
• “Professional photo booth with the lovely Shannon Conyers, complete with props and maybe even a leprechaun! Come costume up, hop in the booth with your friends and get ridiculous!”
• Designated driver special, Free Soda.

Doc’s Marina Grill – 141 Hudson St.

• St. Patty’s Day Drink Specials, Happy Hour Menu and Free ½ cups of Chowder!
• Mini Relay Races, win Great Prizes!
• Designated driver specials available.

Middletown Dreams Pinbar – 213 Taylor St.

• $1 off Tap Beer and Cup of Noodles!
• Flash Air Hockey Tournament…will you be the next air hockey champion?
• Designated driver special, $1.50 Bedford Sodas.

The Public House – 1038 Water St.

• Shamrock Jell-O Shots for $1, Extended Happy Hour Menu from 6-10, St. Paddy’s Day Drink and Food Specials!
• Designated driver special, Free Soda.

Sirens – 823 Water St.

• Buy a Whiskey and fill your Pub Crawl glass with a taste of Ireland’s greatest beer. Corned Beef and Guinness Stew, traditional pasties and a hearty Fisherman’s Pie. Also a fabulous selection of Irish whiskies, beers and ciders.  Finish it off with an Irish Cupcake!
• Mad, Mad, Mad, Irish Libs to keep you entertained or embark on a Guided Whiskey Tasting, full of information and history.
• Designated driver special, Free Soda or Coffee.

Uptown Pub – 1016 Lawrence St.

• $3 Guinness Bottles.
• Free Pool & Darts, Music at 9pm.
• Free juice or soda for designated drivers.

Fins Coastal Cuisine – 1019 Water St.

• $6 Wells, $3 Beers, $8 Clams, $8 Mussels, $10 Calamari, $6 Hummus, $5 Green Salad, $5 Caesar…bring your appetite!
• Drawings for cool prizes
• Designated driver special, Free Soda.

Tickets go on sale March 1. Tickets will be available to purchase at each of the participating bars as well as online through the Port Townsend Main Street website www.ptmainstreet.org. For event updates, visit The Port Townsend Main Street Program Facebook page.

This is a 21+ event. For a safe atmosphere, the Port Townsend Main Street Program will promote using designated drivers, Peninsula Taxi and walking. All locations will also offer a free or low cost non-alcoholic beverage for designated drivers.