The one-and-a-half-story Aberdeen home where Kurt Cobain lived from 1968 to 1984, long before Nirvana formed, has become a landmark in Washington. Last week, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation announced that the home had been officially approved for heritage status – buildings of cultural significance. But more importantly, the home’s current co-owner, Lee Bacon, said he is completing the restoration of the home to turn it into a museum, with the original values of Cobain’s youth.
Because of neighborhood zoning, the house can't become a full-time museum, but Bacon is looking to open it for private tours next spring.
“Our goal was to make the house a project that celebrated Kurt’s life and work, with museum-like design details,” he says. “The next step was how to make that happen.”
Kurt's house in Aberdeen
At a hearing held via Zoom on June 29 to approve the house for listing as a cultural heritage site, the nine-member Governor's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation heard a passage from the speech.Smells Like Teen Spiritbefore proceeding with the discussion. They then concluded that "the house is directly associated with an individual who has made a significant contribution to the community or to a group of people".
Allyson Brooks, executive director of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, was surprised when Bacon's application was approved. "It's rare to see someone's childhood home restored like this. We believe that where a person grew up is very important in their life. And in this case, Kurt Cobain developed his passion for music in that old house in Aberdeen," Brooks said. The board voted to approve and grant Lee Bacon permission to turn the house into a museum.
Kurt Cobain and the remaining members of Nirvana, in the song Smells Like Teen Spirit that made the band famous
Brooks said the vote, which was announced last week, did not surprise her. "We didn't have any opposition," she said. "Everyone on the council recognized the importance of this place." But listing the house on the heritage list doesn't necessarily mean it will be protected forever, if other owners want to demolish it decades later. "It's just an honor," she said. "This house doesn't have any government protection."
Bacon and his wife, Danielle, bought the house from Cobain's family for $225,000 in 2018. In 2019, Bacon, who works in lighting design, announced plans for the renovation. He has been working ever since. The house's yellow exterior will be repainted in a pale fern and dark mint color, reminiscent of the 1970s. The interior remains largely intact, including the Cobain family's old dining table and china cabinet, Kurt's bedroom cushions, his own hand-drawn wall art, and the nursery where Kurt and his sister Kim used to live.
According to Bacon's permit application, "the kitchen still has the original 70s plywood cabinets with canary yellow Formica countertops." Kim Cobain also shared, "I've been supporting Lee and Dani's idea for the past three years and was happy to contribute."
Some pictures inside Kurt Cobain's childhood home
In addition to the house, Lee Bacon also bought a 2,323 m2 building.2in Aberdeen city centre and plans to dedicate 8,000 m2to create a 'Tribute Lounge & Gallery Cafe' dedicated to Kurt Cobain. Through artifacts, paintings, memorabilia, and photographs of Cobain by photographer Charles Peterson, Bacon said the property will "tell the story of the house" and Cobain's early years in Aberdeen. Guitar maker Larry Brooks will provide the story behind the Jag-Stang he built for Cobain. Bacon is also considering displaying items donated by fans.
Additionally, in front of the house is a plaque that reads "Kurt Cobain Landing," which Bacon believes will play an important role later on as they retrace the story from Nirvana's heyday to Kurt's death in 1994.
"We have to leave something for future generations, 20 years from now, for people who want to learn about Kurt," Bacon said. "That plaque is for people who don't know who he was or what he did."
Like the late artistAmy WinehouseKurt Cobain was a member of the “27 Club”. He is said to have shot himself to death in 1994, just 44 days after his 27th birthday.
