Bellingham Then & Now: Larrabee House (Lairmont Manor)

Lairmont Manor is arguably the most well-maintained of all the grand houses that have survived in Bellingham for over a century. The mansion was built with over twenty rooms, and some of them are clustered into suites - two or three rooms with their own private hallways, baths, and balconies. Much of the woodwork was brought in from Italy, and the glass and ironwork was imported from Belgium. Possibly the most well-known individual feature is the wall of windows overlooking the gardens that has served as the background for dozens - if not hundreds - of wedding portraits.

The Manor has had very few owners since the original resident, Frances Larrabee, passed away in the middle of the 1900s. The name “Lairmont” came about in 1967, as a blend of Larrabee and “Mount Saint Mary’s”, the school of nursing that was hosted on its grounds for over twenty years.

It’s been a cultural center since its construction in 1914. Frances Larrabee, a wealthy widow (her husband Charles Larrabee passed away prior to construction), hosted social gatherings and musical events. She herself was a music enthusiast, having earned a degree in music at the New England Conservatory in Boston, and continuing instruction in piano for a time in Germany.

One illustrious guest was Marian Anderson, a singer known for her contralto voice and often remembered as the soloist who in 1939 drew a crowd of over 75,000 people to steps of the Lincoln Memorial, after the DAR declined her application to Constitution Hall due to her race. Frances was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In a poetic twist, when Anderson visited Bellingham in 1941 and was again denied access to local performance venues, Frances Larrabee was the one who hosted a concert on the grounds of Lairmont Manor.

Today, the Lairmont continues to be at the center of the events world of Whatcom County. It is booked for back-to back weddings all summer, and is one of the most popular (and possibly the most famous) wedding venue in the area.  Now, in the middle of winter, it's blanketed in snow and plays host to company holiday parties, music recitals and indoor weddings. 

Today the estate has a quiet beauty in the glow of a snowy winter day; to see the property in its summery glory, here’s a tour video by Dakota Huntley:

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Next up on Bellingham Then & Now: The Donovan House was home to the railroad developer whose company donated the land for what is now Bloedel-Donovan Park.

Previously on Bellingham Then & Now: The George Pickett House is the oldest surviving building in Bellingham.

Sources:

“Charles X. Larrabee House Lairmont Manor.” City of Bellingham. Link.

“The Larrabee Story.” Lairmont Manor. Link.

“Washington SP Larrabee House.” National Archives Catalog. Link.

Images:

Then: “Charles X. Larrabee House Lairmont Manor.” City of Bellingham. Link.

Now: Cooper Hansley

Video courtesy of the Lairmont Manor YouTube channel