A Good Night For Historic Properties In Everett

September 16, 2021

Everett Government

Wednesday night’s City Council meeting in Everett, Washington was a good night for three historic properties. First off, the council unanimously approved the transfer of the historic Van Valey House at 2130 Colby in north Everett to the Everett History Museum. Here’s some background on the transaction from the council briefing packet.

The Everett History Museum hopes to re-open the Van Valey House on March 1, 2022.

In 2002 Edward and Elizabeth Morrow generously donated the Van Valey House to the City. The City is grateful for the generosity of the Morrow’s. Part of the transfer was a Donation Agreement signed by the City and the Morrows. Under that 2002 Donation Agreement, the City must transfer by quit claim deed the Van Valey House to a “historic non-profit entity designated by City Council” if the City “fails to use the [Van Valey House] for City of Everett use.” The Donation Agreement does not require any payment from the historic non-profit entity for the Van Valey House.

From 2002 through 2019, the City used the Van Valey House as an event venue, storage facility and office space. The expenses to operate and maintain the Van Valey House have exceeded the revenue associated with public and private rentals.

The Everett Museum of History wants to take ownership of the Van Valey House. Members of the Morrow family support this transfer. This transfer honors the City’s agreement with the Morrows to place the Van Valey House in museum ownership, and it relieves the City of responsibility for the maintenance and operations of the Van Valey House. Consistent with the 2002 Donation Agreement, the Everett Museum of History will not pay the City for the Van Valey House.

In the other two actions, the city council added the Gowdy House located at 2803 19th St. to the Everett Register of Historic Places along with the Walsh Platt Motors building which sits at the southwest corner of Hewitt and Rucker. That building is currently undergoing extensive renovation.



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