Save the Philbrook House
The city of Bellevue, Washington is located in the greater Seattle area and has experienced incredible growth in the past century. Currently Bellevue is our state's 4th largest city - and it is quickly growing larger. Today, but very little remains visible of the humble beginnings of this once sleepy farming community which used to be a ferry boat ride away from the bustling city of Seattle.
The Philbrook House could today possibly be the oldest remaining residential structure in Bellevue. It is believed to have been built in the 1890's and its colorful past has a story to share with future inhabitants of Bellevue. First lived in over 100 years ago by an American Civil War veteran , it later became a restaurant during the great depression serving 35 cent lunches and later became a boarding house for whalers and then an Antique shop.
Today the house sits vacant, sadly awaiting it's demise; to be crushed and buried in an un-named landfill after having so faithfully witnessed the impressive growth of the proud city around it. The house will be demolished, unless funds can be raised to relocate the house from its current site to a nearby park, vacant lot, or other property where it can safely exist for future generations to appreciate.
The present location of the house is tucked away behind retail businesses on Bellevue's "Old Main Street ". Even Old Main Street has seen it's share of change in the last years, and the street presently looks much more "main" and much less "old". This change in surroundings makes the house feel very much out of context in its location today.
Although it is a charming example of Victorian vernacular architecture, the structure is virtually invisible today, enveloped by more recent development. Most people are likely unaware it exists, while those who remember the house have assumed it was demolished long ago.
The owner of the structure has been very cooperative in everyone's efforts to save the building, but the house cannot stay in it's current location!
The owner is under a strict timeline to have the site cleared for construction at the start of May 2015, so these efforts are very time-sensitive.
I have started this GoFundMe campaign to gather enough money to move the Philbrook House from it's current location and to cover the costs of placing the house either in a park or other future site. Specifically, the funding goal for this project includes the initial cost of raising the house, placing it on a truck, and moving it to a new location. Additional funds are allocated to pour a foundation at the new location, along with general restoration and preservation costs. Finally, a portion of the funds will address long term maintenance needs.
The goal is to preserve the house, providing a public benefit and a glimpse into Bellevue’s architectural past. The Philbrook House is a link to the infancy of a now great city and boasts a Civil War connection as well!
The City of Bellevue has not found a way to fund the future preservation of the Philbrook House, so therefore private funding is the only means of accomplishing this goal. Again, nothing at all can be done to preserve the house at its current location. The present property owner has been very accommodating and is open to relocating the house to a new site, but to date no site has been identified. A new site would allow the house to be better experienced by the public and would result in a greater appreciation of this pioneer structure.
It's the 11th hour for the Philbrook House and I'm reaching out for your support to help save this building by moving it elsewhere. Please join me and support this last minute effort to make a difference in our community by preserving our past. Although your financial support is mostly needed, even if you only have some time to volunteer to help make this project a success, please reach out!
ALL DONATIONS WILL BE TRACKED AND IF WE ARE UNABLE TO SAVE THE PHILBROOK HOUSE, ALL DONATED FUNDS WILL BE RETURNED.
Thanks
Nils Dickmann
Friends of the Philbrook House