Docents sought to sustain Perkins House

One of the treasures in the county and Colfax is the Perkins House. But the treasure is in trouble.

Cheryl Kammerzell of Colfax, Whitman County Historical Society member in charge of the Perkins House, said that the house may not be available for tours if volunteers don’t step up.

“The number of docents has become non-existent,” Kammerzell said last week.

The volunteer positions are open to the public. Job descriptions and applications are available on the website. Kammerzell said between 15 to 20 docents would be ideal.

“Then we could have the house open spring, summer and fall,” she said. “The docents wouldn’t have to devote huge chunks of time.”

Kammerzell said she hopes the house could eventually be open for weddings and other social events. Whenever the house is booked open for an event, the society requires a docent must be there.

Docents can either wear business-style clothing or period clothing, whichever they prefer, Kammerzell said.

Docent duties include greeting visitors, giving tours and answering questions about the area. They are also responsible for opening and closing the house on assigned days; preparing the house for tours; answering questions about the house, cabin, furnishings and implements. They are also responsible for general cleaning, checking gardens, referring guests to other county and historical activities and resources and generally representing Colfax and the Perkins House with a friendly, customer service orientation.

“We want people with a real interest in doing it,” she said.

Qualifications and education requirements include membership in Whitman County Historical Society, over 18 years of age, being personable and able to climb stairs.

Docents will receive training in the history of the house.

Kammerzell said funds must be raised because the old house needs major renovations.

“The Perkins House isn’t carrying enough to pay for maintenance,” Kammerzell said.

A new roof will be needed soon, at a cost of $30,000 to $40,000. The historical society is searching for grants to cover most if not all the costs, Kammerzell said.

The Perkins House was built by James Perkins, the founder of Colfax, in 1886. A cabin on the grounds, built in 1870, is the oldest standing building in Whitman County. The house was the center of Colfax society between 1886 and 1920.

Much work has been done recently on the Perkins House to restore it to appropriate Victorian colors. The paint picks up on the ornate detail of the house that tended to be obscured by the previous white exterior. With the new paint, various architectural features stand out, in particular, the quoins on the corners of the house.

More remains to be done to restore the house. In the near future the foundation on the south side of the house must be repaired. The kitchen porch is also in need of extensive repairs, and the house needs rewiring.

The historical society’s 42nd Ice Cream Social will be Sunday, June 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the house. Food, including ice cream, music and house tours will be available.

Kammerzell said this year organizers hope to make the event more family friendly.

“We heard that it’s fun, but not a lot of fun for kids,” she said.

Children will get a chance this year to play old-fashioned games during the social.

At the Ice Cream Social in 2001, Jeanette Sabo, granddaughter of James and Jenny Perkins, said that the house now looks just as she remembered it.