Dr. Luke A. Port House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Deepwood Museum & Gardens
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 1116 Mission Street, SE Salem, Oregon |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | William C. Knighton; Lord & Schryver |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Part of | Gaiety Hill – Bush's Pasture Park Historic District (ID86002849) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001581 |
| Added to NRHP | October 2, 1973 |
Deepwood Museum & Gardens, also known as Historic Deepwood Estate, is a beautiful old house in Salem, Oregon. It was built a long time ago, starting in 1893 and finished in 1894. Today, it's a special place managed by a group called Friends of Deepwood and owned by the City of Salem.
A famous architect named William C. Knighton designed the house. Later, in 1929, the lovely gardens were created by the Salem firm of Lord & Schryver. The house is built in the Queen Anne style, which means it has a fancy, detailed look. It even has pretty stained glass windows made by Povey Brothers Studio. Building the house cost between $12,000 and $15,000 back then.
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The Port Family: First Owners (1894-1895)
The first owner of Deepwood was Dr. Luke A. Port. He was born in England and grew up in Ohio. He moved to Salem in 1884 and opened a drugstore. Dr. Port started building Deepwood in 1893, and it was finished in 1894.
However, Dr. Port only lived in his new house for a short time. He sold the home in 1895 to Judge George G. Bingham.
The Bingham Family: Nearly 30 Years at Deepwood (1895-1924)
Judge George G. Bingham moved into Deepwood with his wife, Willie E. Harris, and their young daughter, Alice. The Bingham family lived in the home for almost 30 years. George and Willie passed away within a few weeks of each other in 1924.
While living at Deepwood, the Binghams loved to entertain guests. George was also a very keen gardener. He took care of a small orchard, a large vegetable garden, and even some farm animals on their four-acre property.
After her parents passed away, Alice Bingham inherited the home. She was married to Keith Powell. Alice decided to sell Deepwood to another couple from the Willamette Valley, Clifford Brown and Alice Bretherton Brown.
The Brown-Powell Family: Longest Residents (1924-1968)
The Browns spent a year making many updates to the Victorian home before moving in with their two sons, Werner and Chandler. Sadly, Clifford Brown passed away in 1927 in a boating accident. This left his wife, Alice Brown, living in the house.
Alice Brown would become the person who lived at Deepwood the longest. In 1929, she hired Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver's company, Lord & Schryver. They designed and installed the beautiful English-style gardens that Deepwood is famous for today. Alice Brown is also given credit for naming the property "Deepwood."
In 1945, Alice Brown remarried Keith Powell, who was the widower of Alice Bingham Powell. They were married right there in the gardens of Deepwood. They continued to live in the home until 1968, when they decided to move to a smaller house nearby.
Saving Deepwood: A Community Effort (1968-1971)
After the Brown-Powells moved out, Deepwood was put up for sale. There was a lot of interest from businesses who wanted to buy the property. It was located just south of downtown Salem, making it a valuable spot.
However, a strong community movement worked hard to save Deepwood from possibly being torn down. Thanks to their efforts, the historic home was preserved.
Deepwood Today: A Museum and Garden (1971-Present)
The City of Salem bought the house in December 1971. Since 1974, the house and gardens have been managed by a non-profit group called the Friends of Deepwood. They operate Deepwood as a house museum, a public garden, and a place for special events.
The City of Salem helps maintain the gardens and property. Two other non-profit groups, the Deepwood Gardeners and the Lord & Schryver Conservancy, also help take care of this special place.
