Oregon150

by Jon Tullis
Timberline Lodge
Government Camp, OR

Timberline Lodge is one of Oregon’s 16 National Historic Landmarks. Ordinarily, properties need to be 50 years old to be considered for this important designation. It is felt that time must pass to consider significance. That makes sense when you consider the term “historic” and remember that these landmarks are joining the vanguard of such hallowed places in American history as Monticello, Mount Vernon, the Alamo, and the White House. But in 1977, just 40 years after the lodge was built as the Northwest’s crowning jewel in Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Works Progress Administration, the significance of that time period and all that Timberline represents, was apparent enough to bestow this designation upon the Lodge. Timberline Lodge is certainly the most magnificent example of an inspired style of regional architecture now known as “Cascadian,” but that alone does not warrant historic landmark status. Fundamentally, Timberline was chosen as a National Historic Landmark for its significance in representing a pivotal period of time in our nation’s history; a period of time when a new course for government was set with the bold notion that government has the strength and the power, when working with its citizenry, to provide solutions to our biggest problems. This notion was made manifest in spectacular public works such as Timberline Lodge. Timberline was born with this sense of determination, resourcefulness, as well as an egalitarian ideal. Timberline Lodge was truly built “by the people, for the people.”

Today, we are recognizing the 75th anniversary of the New Deal, and many people are yearning for a modern day W.P.A. of sorts. In my position as Director of Public Affairs for Timberline Lodge, it is interesting that I hear from them. Timberline stands today as not just an icon of Oregon, but as a sample and symbol of New Deal political thought. Specifically, it represents the objectives of the New Deal’s Federal Art Project which funded the building of Timberline. During the W.P.A.’s broad reaching dedication to public works, decorative arts and crafts were valued just as much as practical infrastructure. Craftsmanship provided a source of pride and a focus on old-world quality, as well as an opportunity to learn a trade. Painting and graphic arts in particular provided inspiration and an expression of the New Deal movement, and in a not so subtle way, it often promoted the New Deal itself. This is showcased at Timberline with WPA murals such as Howard Sewell’s “Metal” and “Wood” depicting craftsmanship in a strict and purposed fashion. Such works, particularly W.P.A. poster art, served almost as democratic propaganda and spoke mostly of determination, progress, hard word, and the power of the people.

America at the time was of course in the throes of the Great Depression and these so called “make work” projects became a pivotal part of Roosevelt’s New Deal plans to address an idled economy, high unemployment and the resulting hunger, despair, and sense of aimlessness that prevailed. At the time, the power of the American industrialists and the wealthy elite was tantamount to a ruling class. The country was suffering the worst economic period in its history, social unrest was on the rise, and the nation’s political system was brought into question. There was talk among some that the American “experiment” had simply failed.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt wouldn’t accept that. He closed his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago by saying “I pledge to you, and I pledge to myself, a new deal for the American people.” That “new deal” became what we now know as the capital N, capital D, New Deal; a sweeping set of social programs and policies that set the agenda for the era. The Democratic nominee began to craft what he thought the role of the government in society and in the economy should be.

His biggest objective was to bring jobs to the people and pull economic power under control, for the good of all the people. It was bold, populace thought. He was literally re-defining freedom, progress, and government. The people rallied behind him and his plans for both a bigger government and a stronger middle class, and he went on to win the presidency. In his first term he brought the banks under federal regulation, and he brought us social security, a minimum wage, subsidized housing, and unemployment insurance; things that he felt the free market couldn’t completely create, much less guarantee.

His administration turned their focus to job creation. Federal public works projects included roads, bridges, schools, post offices, and perhaps most significantly, dams to create electricity for rural areas. Here in the West, public lands and the roles of their federal land managers were expanded. The Forest Service rolled out land allocations that were until then stored quietly in planning documents upon shelves. The Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) built trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, water systems, and ranger stations. And here on Mt. Hood, they built a spectacular ski lodge which Roosevelt dedicated on September 28, 1937 “as a monument to the skill and faithful performance of workers on the rolls of the Works Progress Administration.” At the time, Roosevelt was on a two week tour of Oregon and visited many of his New Deal accomplishments. In his dedication of the near-complete Bonneville Dam, he underscored his public works philosophy.

“Instead of spending, as some nations do, half of their national income in piling up armaments…we in America are wiser in using our wealth on projects like this, which will give us more wealth, better living, and greater happiness for our children.”

Working at Timberline, I have always thought that I understood the importance of this social history to which the lodge belonged, but it seemed like just that; distant history. Lately however, I wonder if we now will perhaps come to know first hand the significance of how such challenges could inspire and motivate people to create something like Timberline Lodge. Once again our nation faces similar dismay, and there is talk of a new, New Deal, one for the 21st century, perhaps as some have proposed, a green New Deal that invests primarily in public works projects that utilize and promote new energy technologies. Attention to infrastructure throughout the country is critically overdue. Certainly, and perhaps ironically, the aging projects and buildings built during the WPA are now facing natural deterioration themselves. Our own Governor Ted Kulongoski has recently presented a clever initiative for the Obama administration to consider; his so called “Campus Project” would focus public works efforts on the backlog of deferred maintenance at the nation’s many state universities. The Obama administration is listening.

Certainly, allot has changed in the last 75 years, and I listen with amazement as “futurists” discuss what change society is likely to bring us in the years to come, but right now, in December of 2008, I’m glancing backwards. There seems to be striking parallels between today and the domestic affairs of America in the 1930’s. Once again, wealth has become gradually polarized in our social strata, the gap between the haves and the have-nots has widened, there is very real economic trouble, the stock market is faltering, unemployment is on the rise, and America’s people are increasingly becoming disenfranchised and desperate. These things are once again in the news, and on the political front there is much talk about “change” and “hope” and “a new beginning.” It strikes me that the message and even the style of Barrack Obama are very similar to Roosevelt’s. He is engaging the people in dialog, sharing concerns, speaking frankly, framing a common cause, and challenging us to a shared sacrifice. This is just what Roosevelt did in his famous “fireside chats.” Even the Obama “HOPE” posters recall the WPA posters that shouted the rallying cries of the day.

Here at Timberline Lodge, my phone rang the other day. On the other end was a wonderful woman in her 80’s. She said that she had been to Timberline the week before for an outing, and just couldn’t shake the memories and the sense of hope that the place gave her. It reminded her of the Great Depression through which she lived, and of the hope and purpose that the New Deal public works projects provided. She remembered it all, and said “If this country falls into another economic depression, it is going to take projects like Timberline to pull us out of it.” She said she “hoped that your generation” as she kept referring to it, “was up to it, and would rise to the challenge.” She said “You have such a powerful symbol up there! I hope people remember their history.” She went on to introduce herself as a “dyed in the wool Republican” but then shared with me that she was going to vote for Barrack Obama. “Things need to change,” she said.

As I ponder our conversation, I am reminded that our future lies in preserving our history. While it is a stretch to propose that Timberline Lodge is once again at the crossroads of history, it feels like history itself is shouting up the street to us, hoping that we will listen and consider where we are. Such a phone call also renews one of our most solemn purposes here as operators of Timberline Lodge, that of historic preservation through use. And, it doesn’t stop with us. At Oregon’s 150th anniversary of statehood, all Oregonians can be proud of this great place for its accomplishments, its history, and its symbolic value.