Originally it was a dining facility for the employees working the mills for the Vance Lumber Company and opened in 1893.

[1][2] The building also houses a museum with artifacts and images that focus on logging and "maritime industry" history.

[1][3][4] Waitresses were required to be single during the period when the Cookhouse served only company workers, were paid $30 a month, and worked seven days a week.

[4] The dormitory has a curfew and was locked at night and the women were not allowed to date on the weekdays.

[4] There was, however, a secret passageway that led to the kitchen that waitresses used to leave the dormitory at night.