pittock piano playing

this is me playing the pittock mansion's steinway piano!  to back up, for all the years i've lived in this area, i've never actually been inside the mansion.  (the one time i approached over fifteen years ago on a hike, i arrived to the front door just as they were closing.)  so i put it on this year's "winter wish list of fun things to do inside while i'm waiting to be able to kayak again."  i'm glad i waited.  even in the last three years i've learned so much portland history that i think i appreciated the tour even more. plus everything's better with a friend!  we'd only been inside a few minutes when a tour guide asked me, "do you play piano?  would you like to try the steinway?"  "hi, uh, me? yes, well, um, sure, it would be an honor!"  she ushered me behind the rope and urged me to sit.  i played some simple tentative rolling chords. "go on, really play, it gives a marvellously full sound," she urged.  so i played a bit louder and more freely.  it was like driving a mustang at full throttle and my heart was racing.  a second tour guide came in, a concerned look on his face, "did you tell her she could play that?" he asked the first guide, "oh, yes, i invited her to."  "oh, well, in that case, carry on...happy new year!" he called out, visibly relieved (not that i would have done this uninvited). the 16,000 square foot mansion's architecture is strikingly modern and advanced for it's commission of 1909, including a central vacuum system, intercoms, an elevator, and indirect lighting.  i was impressed by the blend of french, turkish and english design styles and use of circular wood patterns, curved windows and marble staircase.  even though it was more expensive, pittock chose northwest materials whenever possible.  i was impressed not only by the pittock's pioneer spirit (arriving penniless in 1853 and moving from being a typesetter for the oregonian to owning the paper) but by their generous spirits in everything from inviting orphaned nieces to live with them to founding portland's annual rose festival.  henry was also a mazama member, being the first to climb mt. hood on july 11, 1857.  i wish they could have enjoyed their home longer, as it was completed in 1914 but henry and his wife died just four and five years later, leaving it to family members who lived in it until 1958.  portions were severely damaged by the 1962 columbus day storm but saved and restored to the 46 acre museum it is today.  the view, even though foggy yesterday, is impressive from 1,000 feet above downtown.  portland parks and recreation will host the 100th birthday celebration this summer.  for more, see www.pittockmansion.org.