By Mt. Hood Museum For The Mountain Times
The Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum (MHCCM) proudly announces the return of its beloved Steiner Cabins Tour on Saturday, August 9, 2025, marking the event’s 20th anniversary. This walking tour invites the public inside some of the Mt. Hood region’s most iconic, handcrafted homes, built by legendary craftsman Henry Steiner and his family. It’s an opportunity for tour attendees to invest in supporting museum operations and to preserve the rich heritage of the area.
Tickets go on sale at 8:00 a.m., on July 1, 2025, and are expected to sell quickly. For full details and to purchase tickets, visit: mthoodmuseum.org/events. This is your chance to explore the artistry, history, and enduring charm of the Steiner cabins. Please note: This tour is not ADA accessible. No children or pets are allowed, and no refunds will be issued.
Each year, the tour features a different selection of privately owned Steiner cabins — offering fresh glimpses into their rustic charm, skilled craftsmanship, and enduring design. This year’s walking tour covers approximately one mile and includes seven distinct cabins, each highlighting the creativity and practicality that define Steiner’s architectural legacy.
Between 1927 and 1953, the Steiner family built around 100 cabins and two churches in the Mt. Hood area. Approximately 84 structures remain today; many are lovingly maintained by private owners.
Working without electricity or modern tools, the Steiner family relied solely on hand tools and materials sourced from the surrounding forest, rivers, and streams. While Henry and his sons built the cabins, Henry’s wife Mollie and younger children assisted by peeling bark from Douglas fir logs. The cabins are famed for their handcrafted details — massive river stone fireplaces, curved handrails, signature “bookmark doors,” and the distinctive Steiner Sunburst motif adorning many gables. Aside from windows and a few fixtures, everything was made by hand.
This year’s tour is dedicated to Nancy Dougherty and Lloyd Musser, the passionate visionaries who launched the event. Nancy, a Steiner cabin owner, and Lloyd, former curator of the Mt. Hood Cultural Center &Museum, unfortunately passed away earlier this year. They recognized the cultural significance of these cabins and sought to share them with the wider community. Their dedication to preserving and celebrating local heritage laid the foundation for this cherished annual tradition. Visit: mthoodmuseum.org/events to purchase your tickets now.