Steamer Letters from Orre Nobles
The McReavy House and its members have an array of work from artists that have gathered along Hood Canal’s shores, particularly during the era of Olympus Manor. The Olympus Manor artist colony, most prominently identified with Orre Nobles and Waldo Chase, thrived from 1924 until 1952 when it was accidentally burned down by a drunken caretaker. The artist colony attracted visitors such as popular poet, Don Blanding, heavyweight world champion boxer Gene Tunney and political commentator Upton Close. Morris Graves and Mark Tobey, who were founding figures in the Northwest art scene, the “Gang of Twelve,” were visitors. And one of Chase’s earliest pupils, Ed Aardal, became an animator for Walt Disney, working on Fantasia, Snow White and other landmark creations.