Deco light fixture, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
Description
Timberline Lodge was built in 1936-38 as a ski lodge 6,000 feet up on Mount Hood, and it still serves that purpose. It was equally a showcase for the accomplishments of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The four-story structure was built in Northwestern rustic style using large timbers and local stone, with a striking central “headhouse” built in a hexagon around a 90-foot stone chimney with large fireplaces on all sides. The interior is a marvel of decorative elements designed to feature Northwestern native and pioneer styles in wood carving, furniture, textiles, metal work, light fixtures, stone work and paintings.
The interior decor was overseen by Margery Hoffman Smith, Oregon director of the Federal Art Project of the WPA. She used local craftsmen and women, who were given a high degree of freedom in coming up with original designs. The result is one of the most extraordinary and delightful creations of the entire New Deal.
Timberline’s iron work is noteworthy, including grills, gates, sculptures and light fixtures.
Most of the furniture, textiles, lamps and other craft items have been repaired and restored over time, and in some case replaced, following the original designs. A comprehensive catalogue of all interior art is provided in Munro 2009.
Timberline Lodge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
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Deco light fixture, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Light fixture in Head House, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Light fixture in Head House, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Fireplace andirons and spark shield, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Cashier's grill, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Mountain goat iron andiron, Cashier's grill, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Iron grill, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Bull sculpture balustrade, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Metal fixtures on door to Roosevelt porch, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
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Leaded windows, Timberline Lodge - Mt Hood OR
Project Details
| Federal Cost | Local Cost | Total Cost | Project #'s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 695730 | 695730 |
Source notes
Munro, Sarah Baker, Timberline Lodge: The History, Art, and Craft of an American Icon. Portland: Timber Press, 2009.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timberline_Lodge
Kennedy, Roger and David Larkin, When Art Worked: The New Deal, Art, and Democracy. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. 2009.
Project originally submitted by Jonathan Bolnick, Kendrick Simila, Charles Swaney on January 2, 2022.
Additional contributions by Richard A Walker, Joan Greer.
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal project site.
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