3112 NE 17th Avenue An Early Work in English Cottage Form by Roscoe Hemenway

In 1923, Roscoe Hemenway, who in later years became one of Portland's most respected residential architects, designed this house for his sister, Nellie Price, and her new husband, a young doctor.  This was Roscoe's first residential design, as he had just graduated from architectural school at the University of Oregon.  Nellie had grown up in the house next door to the east, and she needed only to walk to the corner to move into her new home after the wedding.  Nellie loved the home, and cared for it for many decades.   She finally moved at the age of 99, and that is when the current owners' 5 year search for an Irvington home in original condition finally ended.   The home is now under the care of only it's second owners.

The home is filled with touching tributes to it's history.  The current owners, who grew up in the area, have made every effort to preserve and maintain the character and charm in every room, and there are little historic touches everywhere.  As you enter, you can see a little patch of original wallpaper to your right.  The large living room is painted a deep blue color, but the abundance of windows keep the room airy and bright.  Nellie was a member of the Native Plant Society, and  the beautiful shrubs she tended still thrive, now tenderly cared for by new hands,  providing verdant and blossoming views. The fireplace screen, irons and fender are original.  The dining room set belonged to Nellie, and was purchased with the home.

The stair carpet is original to the house. Legend has it that Nellie's husband bartered medical services for rugs with another Portland family in the carpet importing business.  The upstairs bath has been newly remodeled, but, amazingly, the shower curtain is original!

Roscoe Hemenway was born in Cottage Grove, Oregon, in 1899, and practiced architecture in Portland for more than 30 years.  He became one of the city's most prominent residential architects, with many fine, upper-class homes to his credit before his death in 1957.  The majority of his residential designs are believed to have been in the Colonial Revival style, the majority of which still stand in Portland's West Hills.