Albert Bishop Chance House and Gardens

The Albert Bishop Chance House is a two-story wood frame dwelling with a raised brick basement, wide front verandah, and symmetrically designed gardens on its grounds in Centralia. The structure displays hallmark features of Queen Anne architecture with details typical of well-to-do residences built around 1904.

The house was built in 1904 during a period when Centralia was expanding its residential areas and prosperity was visible throughout the region. It gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, which confirmed its architectural and local importance.

The residence now serves as the Centralia Historical Society Museum, displaying how families of means lived and what architectural ideals shaped their homes during the early 1900s. Walking through the rooms reveals the daily habits and tastes of that era.

The house is located in an accessible residential area and can be visited through arrangements with the Centralia Historical Society, which offers guided tours. The outdoor grounds with formal gardens are easy to walk through and give a complete sense of the property.

The formal gardens were added to the property in 1937, using plants and design elements chosen specifically for that era. This later green addition complements the house's architecture in a way that feels naturally integrated.