The Heritage Group

The Heritage Group is a non-profit organization with the sole purpose of managing The Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum at Fort Worden. The Group was formed in the 1970s to restore and furnish the Commanding Officer’s home into a museum to show the public how a senior officer and his family lived on an army fort at the turn of the 20th century.

After restoring the house to its original 1904 condition with authentic wall colors and reconditioned woodwork, it was decided that all furnishings would reflect the late Victorian period (1890-1910). The quarters were opened to the public in April 1982, and public donations have paid for all the quarter’s expenses and improvements for the house interior ever since.

An active group of volunteers provide docents to staff the house, housekeepers for cleaning and maintenance and researchers for historical studies and projects.

The Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum has the distinction of being one of the most visited house museums in Washington State. The museum’s high standard of historical interpretation is unsurpassed, thanks to the dedication of The Heritage Group volunteers.

Membership dues for The Heritage Group are $12 each calendar year, pro rated for the actual number of months of membership. But more important to us than membership dues is your interest in actively participating in the work that needs to be done to maintain and improve the Commanding Officer’s Quarter Museum.

The benefits of membership are:

• Satisfaction from personally supporting one of Washington and Port Townsend’s historical treasures.
• Quarterly newsletters.
• Periodic, THG-sponsored lectures and tours.
• Free entrance to the Museum for you and your invited guests.
• Meeting a dedicated group of volunteers with similar interests in history, antiques, and education.
• Opportunity to qualify for Washington State Parks’ parking pass.

Download a Membership Application to the Heritage Group (PDF) and help support the restoration and furnishing of the Commanding Officer’s home into a museum to show the public how a senior officer and his family lived on an army fort at the turn of the 20th century.

Mail application and check to:

Commanding Officer’s Quarters
200 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368