Pittock Mansion is a gorgeous French Renaissance-style mansion that can be found due west of downtown Portland Oregon. Built in 1914, this mansion, or chateau as it is also labeled, originally served as a private home for the publisher of the The Oregonian and his wife—Henry Pittock and Georgiana Pittock. Georgiana was one of the founders of the city's renowned Rose Festival. These days, the Pittock Mansion is no longer a private home. Instead, it is owned by the Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation and can be enjoyed by the public. Pittock Mansion tours are very popular with area residents and tourists alike, and since the home and its ample grounds host various events throughout the year, you might check its events schedule when planning your trip to the Rose City.

In 1958, after remaining in the Pittock family for decades, the Pittock Mansion was put up for sale. The sale was unsuccessful, however, and the owners even considered tearing the mansion down to make way for housing. Thankfully, donations from the community helped save the structure. The city picked up the bulk of the tab, and after undergoing restorations, the mansion was opened to the public in 1965. Now a landmark and a museum, the Pittock Mansion sees more than 80,000 visitors a year.

Numerous antiques from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were put in place during the Pittock Mansion restoration process, and these antiques help visitors get an idea of how the wealthy Pittocks used to live. Some of the antiques are originals, and they include a ceremonial sword and a Steinway piano. Family photographs and paintings by Thomas Hill are also among the items that can be found inside.

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Splendid antiques aren't the only highlights that can be enjoyed on Pittock Mansion tours, however. The architectural beauty of the 22-room home is also part of the appeal, and since it can be found at 1,000 feet above sea level, dazzling views of the nearby Portland skyline can be savored from the ample grounds, as can views of the more distant Mount Hood. It is possible to enjoy a picnic on the Pittock Mansion grounds, and with the Forest Park Wildwood Trail being so easy to access, a hike might be in order as well.

As for the Pittock Mansion tours, visitors can enjoy unguided or guided versions, with the guided tours lasting approximately one hour. On certain days, special behind-the-scenes tours that highlight some of the things that you won't see on the regular tours are offered, and they last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour on average. The events at Pittock Mansion in Portland are also worth keeping in mind when planning a visit. There are many interesting ones to choose from, and they are offered throughout the year.

The events at Pittock Mansion in Portland have little trouble attracting visitors, and this is due to their overall quality. In addition to the special behind-the-scenes tours, these events include things such as special architecture-based tours and artist spotlight sessions in the impressive museum store. Among the most popular annual events at Pittock Mansion in Portland is the Miniature Rose Show. Numerous roses are on display during this June event, and trophies are awarded to those who fare well in the rose-growing competitions.

Should you be planning on visiting the Pittock Mansion during your Portland vacation, it is worth noting that it is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and during the month of January. Other than that, it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., depending on the month. On occasion during the summer months, the museum stays open until 7 p.m., and you won't have to pay extra to stay longer.