By Marie Kennedy The Mountain Times
The resolution itself is simple – almost poetic in tone:
“Be It Resolved that we recognize and honor Friends of Timberline for five decades of exceptional service and express our deepest appreciation for their perseverance in ensuring the lodge remains a beacon of Oregon’s heritage.”
That language comes from House Concurrent Resolution 30 (HCR 30), introduced by Oregon State Representative Jeff Helfrich and Senator Daniel Bonham to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Friends of Timberline, a nonprofit that has spent decades restoring, protecting, and preserving one of Oregon’s most beloved landmarks.
“For the 50th anniversary, the Friends of Timberline came to us and asked if we’d consider recognizing the people who’ve given so much to the lodge, this public-private partnership that’s helped it endure,” said Rep. Helfrich. “We came up with the wording and sent it to the Legislative Counsel. Now it’s part of Oregon’s official record forever.”
The Friends of Timberline began in 1975 with a guest’s simple complaint about tattered curtains. “It really started with torn drapes,” said Sarah Munro, archivist for the organization. “Anne Wright was staying at the lodge and told Richard Kohnstamm that the guest rooms were in bad shape. He replied that funding was tight. Wright urged him to contact the Junior League. That conversation planted the seed.”
Kohnstamm enlisted Jack Mills, a retired Portland banker, who formed a board with one condition: no regular meetings – just help when called upon.
The Friends focused on three goals: restoring WPA-era textiles, conserving fine art, and building support to preserve the lodge. Over time, they became the lodge’s quiet custodians – raising funds, influencing preservation policy, and keeping the legacy alive.
Helfrich has a personal connection to Timberline. “I worked there as a snowboard instructor when I was young, so this place really means something to me,” he said. On a tour of the lodge, two details stood out to him. “When they remodel rooms, they remove the boards, sign and date them, then reinstall them – leaving a hidden layer of history,” he said.
He was also struck by how materials were carefully repurposed during the lodge’s construction. “They had a narrow-gauge railroad that brought goods and building materials up [to the site]. If you look in the main fireplaces, you’ll see where they twisted up the old rails to create the fire grates. Even nails were melted down and reused. Incredible.”
“The purpose behind HCR 30 is to recognize the Friends for their remarkable dedication,” Helfrich added. “These volunteers have donated their time and resources to keep Timberline Lodge pristine. This recognition celebrates the countless hours they’ve invested in preserving a beloved landmark for all to enjoy.”
That spirit of recognition was echoed in another resolution this session, commemorating the upcoming 100th anniversary of Multnomah Falls Lodge in September 2025.
While such resolutions don’t carry the weight of law, they carry something deeper. “This isn’t just about nostalgia,” Helfrich said during the resolution’s presentation. “It’s about remembering that buildings like Timberline are part of who we are as Oregonians. They connect us across time.”
Built during the Great Depression by WPA workers, Timberline Lodge is a living monument. Its creation gave jobs to artists and laborers. Its survival has relied on the dedication of volunteers and advocates. Its future depends on lasting stewardship.
Thanks to the Friends of Timberline – and now the Oregon Legislature – that commitment remains strong.