Old Man House

The Old Man House was the largest winter longhouse in what is now the U.S. state of Washington, once standing on the shore of Puget Sound. It was the center of the Suquamish village of on Agate Pass, just south of the present-day town of Suquamish. At one time, it was home to the famous Suquamish chiefs Kitsap and Seattle (who was also half Duwamish). Etymology and name The Lushootseed name of the site upon which the house was located is , meaning "clear salt water," and is the origin of the name of the Suquamish people: (which means "people of the clear salt water"). The name "Old Man House" comes from the Chinook Jargon word "oleman" meaning "old, worn out," but also meaning "from the old times". "House" in Chinook Jargon refers to any kind of building, or even to individual rooms within them. History Archeological investigations have revealed that the village site was occupied for at least 2000 years. Accounts vary as to when the longhouse itself was constructed; many sources indicate it was built in the late 18th or early 19th century, but it might have been built earlier. Reports of the longhouse's size also vary, putting its length between 600 and 1000 feet (approximately 200–300 m).