Nat Washington House placed on Washington State Historical Registry

EPHRATA — The Jonas Babcock Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution working with the Spokane Chapter #1 Sons of the American Revolution and Mike Scellick, owner and curator of the Nat Washington House, is proud to announce that due to about a year of diligent work has been successful in obtaining placement on the Washington Register of Historic Places. 

This multi-year project has several components. It is focused on our nation’s 250th birthday, Mike and Rae Anna Victor, Regent of Jonas Babcock Chapter, recently attended the meeting of The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation when they recently voted for the Nat Washington House to be placed as a historical place in the State of Washington. The recognition honors the people and stories preserved in the Nat House and affirms its importance to our local history. Recently, the chapter honored Mike for his decades of dedication to the history and preservation of the house with a NSDAR Excellence in Historic Preservation Medal.  

State Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks said, “The Nat Washington House joins 1,800 other historic and culturally significant properties which have been recognized for their unique contributions to Washington’s heritage. Having the property listed in the register is an honor.” 

Scellick and Victor have been working together for more than a year to achieve this designation. They are currently researching and writing a book tentatively entitled “Washingtons in Washington.” 

The book will be the story of how the Washington family came to the state and the subsequent years. It will tell of all the Washingtons who have lived in the house. The Spokane Chapter #1 SAR Chapter started the early research that was the impetus for the project. Scellick and Victor are hoping that it will generate funds to assist with the upkeep of the house. 

In 2026, the Jonas Babcock Chapter will nominate the Nat Washington House for a national Pomeroy Marker.  

“The dedication and commitment that Mike has shown for the Nat (Washington) House is remarkable. He has run into many hurdles and continues to persevere. We are hoping with the new designation, it will help with new projects to preserve the history for the town and for the state,” Victor said. 

    Mike Scellick and Daughters of the American Revolution members Rae Anna Victor and Susan Walker pause for a photo outside of the Nat Washington House in Ephrata.