Daniel R. Bigelow House

The Daniel R. Bigelow House is a house museum in Olympia featuring Carpenter Gothic style with decorative wooden trim and peaked roof elements. The building contains original furnishings, photographs, and historical documents that reflect the life of pioneers in early Washington territory.

The house was built in the 1850s when Daniel Bigelow claimed 160 acres east of Olympia and established his household with his wife Ann Elizabeth White. During that era it became a stopping point for travelers and gained prominence as the territory developed.

The house displays how prosperous settlers lived during Washington's territorial period, with original furnishings and personal items showing daily life in that era. Visitors experience the home life of an early pioneer family and their place in the young community.

Visiting allows you to walk through the rooms as they were arranged and see the displayed items from the pioneer period up close. Taking time to read the documentation helps you understand the full story of the family and their notable visitors.

The Bigelow family lived in the house for over 140 years before descendants established a preservation association in 1994. This sustained family connection protected the home from being converted into a real estate development project.