We have our ongoing teachings about The Haller’s and local history to a new page! Check out our features page by clicking the button below, or by hovering over the updates tab on our menu.
Our article on the “Anti-Chinese Riots” as well as Emily Washines presentation on the Yakima Wars have moved to this page.
Check this page regularly for new things to learn about from Historic Whidbey and our partners!
Hello everyone! We apologize for the long delay in posting updates regarding the Haller-Brunn house.
Newly constructed west parlor firebox
Once the house was set back down on its new foundation, we began the arduous effort of planning and executing the rebuilding of the beautiful dual fireplace the graced both front parlors. We wanted to keep the original function of the fireplaces in both rooms, with their chimney’s raising parallel up through the house and out the roof. Under new guidelines, building a new chimney in this design would’ve been much wider than the original. A lot of the summer was used in discussing possibilities with engineers, architects, contractors, and masons. Luckily, we were able to create a plan using custom steel flue’s that could look like the original design but come closer to modern guidelines.
We are so grateful to have beautifully reconstructed fireplaces, with strengthened grout, back inside the home. We will hopefully complete the full chimney this winter.
Thank everyone for the ongoing support is saving this historical beauty.
To support public history education on Whidbey Island, two Coupeville nonprofits - the Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation and Historic Whidbey - have teamed up to propose a new Washington State Specialty License Plate. The proposed plate boasts artwork by Northwest maritime artist Robert Tandecki - It captures the spirit of Whidbey waters beautifully!
We will update on the progress of the license plate as we move forward.
If the application to the Legislature is approved, proceeds from the program will be evenly shared between the two sponsoring 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Funds will support public heritage programming on board the 1925 s/v Suva and at the 1866 Haller House in Coupeville. Please note, since the plate needs to be approved by the Legislature, it could take a year or more before being available for purchase. Design of license plate is a draft and may change.
For more information about these organizations or the specialty license plate program, please visit Historic Whidbey or Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation (SUVA).
A beautiful, modern concrete foundation has appeared below the lifted house, ushering in a new era of seismic stability. Next, the house will be lowered onto the board-pressed concrete structure. A huge achievement that marks a milestone for Historic Whidbey and the effort to save the Haller House. No longer will the house be rotting out from under itself and creates a bookend of updates with the updated cedar shingle roof.
Some awesome pictures showing the forms being created and pouring of the concrete. Before lowering, wood sills need to be placed and drainage pipes to need to be placed. The current plans for 2021 are to rebuild all the porches, install hardwood gutters, and continue further work on the outside by inspecting/replacing siding (which hopefully leads to some exterior paint).
Awesome federal, state, and local grants along with generous donations from the public has helped us get this far. We can’t do it without you! Donate here to keep us going!
Light up your holidays with a bundle of pre-cut kindling. We recycled the old lath when we were preparing the inside for renovation into strips of easy to light kindling for your fireplace. Only sold at Aqua Gifts in downtown Coupeville, all the proceeds go right back to us. So save some time cutting wood this season and support a great cause!
Aqua Gifts is a fun, unique store that sells a little bit of everything. From Accessories to Home Décor. Find the perfect gift this holiday season at Aqua Gifts.
Located in Downtown Coupeville in the bright blue building. Right across the street from our amazing Haller House!
Open Everyday, 11am to 5pm
As the house was aloft, waiting for the concrete contractors to come pour a new foundation, we had many volunteers on site working to get the area ready. Numerous old pillars and pilings had to be removed to make room. Some of the more interesting pieces were large sandstone pillars that were put into place when the Haller addition was being built in 1866.
We have yet to find a record of the pillars being purchased or delivered, so there is no definitive knowledge of where they came from, however there was Henry Roeder’s Chuckanut sandstone quarry out of Bellingham and we know that he and Haller were acquainted. Most likely they were sent down by ship and delivered directly to Haller’s wharf, located conveniently right across the street from his future home.
Historic Whidbey hopes to reuse the pillars and put them on display somewhere on the property. A reminder of how far we come in renovating this house and giving it a new life. Stay tuned for more updates!
