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Flavel House
Special Collection in Oregon Coast
Good-for-Kids Rating
BabiesToddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Special Collection
Historical Landmark
Park
Flavel House Description
History really comes alive in this family friendly self-guided tour through Captain George Flavel's 11,600 square foot retirement home, which provides a unique glimpse into Astoria's upper middle class. The tour starts at the carriage house (which has a fussy gift shop full of lighthouse-shaped thermometers and miniature tea sets) with an engaging 13-minute video about Flavel and his family. Nothing like an objects-behind-the-glass museum, kids here can touch and examine nineteenth century objects in the kitchen and and walk into many of the rooms to look at things up close. "I loved it," said one 8-year-old.
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: The house tour will most likely not appeal to kids in this age group, but the Hands-on Activity Room on the second floor will. It has pick-up sticks, an old-fashioned checker board, and Victorian era dress up clothes that the youngest set will love.
School-Age Kids: "This was my favorite part of our whole trip," said one 9-year-old. School aged kids will enjoy looking at the display of unearthed materials in the carriage house and figuring out what they teach historians about the Flavels' life. The kitchen, with its myriad utensils and old-fashioned vacuum cleaner, is fascinating.
Pre-Teens & Teens: History buffs will like everything about this house (as will their grown-up companions) and be shocked that in such a large home there is technically only one bathroom (actually, there are two -- one is hidden below the stairs on the ground floor).
Planning Notes
- Give yourself enough time. Visitors make their way through the house and gardens at their own pace, but the doors close promptly at 5 p.m. Curious kids and history buffs will be disappointed if a late arrival means they don't have time to see everything.
- Walk downtown afterwards. Take a stroll down Commercial Street and grab a bite to eat at one of Astoria's many restaurants.
Just the Facts
Hours: May 1-October 31: Daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Winter hours: Daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
