Hello Community,
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Lisa Riversong Franklin, Filipina, Wanapum Cascades tribe and enrolled member of the Yakama Nation. My ancestors and family were born and raised in this region, a place where for thousands of years was one of the most integral cultural and economic communities in North American history. You can say that I’m rooted here with purpose. Recently, I’ve accepted the role as new President for the Cascadia Center for Arts and Crafts (CCAC), a humble and pleasant volunteer non-profit 501c3 arts organization here on our mountain.
After many years of being dormant, the CCAC has renewed its unique operating permit with the US Forest Service to put arts and culture back on the map here for generations ahead. Honoring our founder, master woodcrafter, David Rogers (R.I.P.), our five “Art Cabins” serve as connectors of the traditional and modern arts and crafts. For the summer months, we are seeking good humans who can instruct, volunteer, learn, donate and create. People who can share to keep art alive. We strive to be your mountain hub for creativity and cultural connectivity. Please join us for our comeback!
Kw’alanuushamatash (Thank You),
Lisa Riversong Franklin
President, CCAC
We recognize and acknowledge the past, present and future cultural history here in the Cascades. You can count on our commitment to the arts and creating safe spaces for all. Our principles will continue to be inclusive, diverse, equal and accessible.
Where We Are
Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts is a collection of “Arts Cabins” located on the ancestral territories of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Cascades, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Confederated Tribes of Siletz, Tenino, Wasco and Wishram, which includes over a hundred other tribes of the region. The Village of Government Camp is centrally located in the middle of some of the most accessible and beautiful scenery on Mount Hood. A road and trailhead leading to Trillium Lake and other trails is located on the Summit Campus of the Cascadia Center. Up the road from us is the National Historic Landmark building, Timberline Lodge. Hand-built during the WPA era of the late 1930s, the historic lodge showcases Cascadia Architecture. The lodge’s Cascadian architecture, hand-forged iron works, paintings, wood carvings, furniture, fiber arts & ski culture puts our region onto the “must-see” list for people from around the world.
Nestled in the forest just off Timberline Road, our Ravens and Trillium studios are located at 30700 Rd 530, Government Camp, Oregon. Our CCAC Summit Blacksmith Shop is located on the south side of US-Hwy26 just across from the Government Camp Rest Area near Milepost 54. Bus service is available to Government Camp from Portland, Gresham and Sandy, or any of the lower Mountain Villages 7-days a week. http://www.mthoodexpress.com/
How We Are
Many years ago, slightly East of The Village of Government Camp was the site for the Mt. Hood National Forest Summit District Ranger Station, elevation approx 4,000 ft. On a small crest between Still Creek and Camp Creek is the ‘Summit Campus’ located in the Historic Summit Ranger Station– also known as the Summit Compound, and the Summit Guard Station. The site is directly next to the Barlow Road section of The Oregon Trail. The road primarily followed native trials across the Cascades and was first cleared and used in 1845. A trace of that road is still used as a popular hiking, Mountain biking, and cross country ski trail. Forest Service administrative functions located at Summit Meadow were relocated to this area in the 1930’s, to be on the Mt. Hood Loop Highway, and near the Timberline Road construction in 1930.
The Forest Service had identified a site in 1932 beyond the end of the Timberline Road for a proposed ‘mountain chalet’ that would become the Historic National Landmark we know today as Timberline Lodge. Construction of the lodge was approved as a Works Progress Administration project in 1935.
Construction began in 1936 and the Mt Hood Forest Supervisor offered the largest residence in the newly constructed Summit Station to Tim Turner, Forest Service supervising architect on the Timberline Lodge project.
The old ‘garage’ has been lovingly cleaned of debris. New benches were designed that do not alter the historic integrity of the building. With the final work on this building completed during the summer of 2014, CCAC now has four double forges for teaching the craft of blacksmithing. Master blacksmith, Darryl Nelson, helped to bring 450 blacksmiths and their families to host the Western States Blacksmithing Conference. Join him and many special guests from the West for this August’s Blacksmith Week 2024.
CCAC’s two original cabins off the Timberline Road on Forest Service Road 530 were our first to be held under Special Use Permit through the Mt Hood National Forest. The Raven Studio, built in 1960 and used as a personal residence for higher ranking Forest Service personnel, was built with straight grain Douglas Fir, and is set in a location that honors the environment of the Cascade Mountains. Wildlife and natural vegetation inspire all who visit the studio. The Raven Studio houses the CCAC Glass Studio, and a small multi use/meeting area upstairs, as well as lodging for instructors.
The second of the original structures is the Trillium Studio, built in 1957, it is the first built of the two Forest Service cabins located off the Timberline Lodge Road. Trillium Studio is basically the same design, set in a picturesque clearing at the bottom of the Wy’East Road which was the original road to Timberline built in the WPA era. Culverts and drainage areas on this road were constructed in the same manner, using the same rock used in the foundation of the lodge. Many artists and writers are instantly inspired on a walk up this road.
These structures are valued by those who come to learn, enjoy the Cascade Environment surrounding them and reflect on the history and architecture of this region. It is very important that we remember the history and restore these buildings for use by the generations to come. These areas and the buildings that remain deserve a new life. Please consider helping our organization create new history on these grounds; new works of art and literary works inspired by the mountains and their environment. This is the ultimate ‘recycling’ of government buildings for use by the public, to be shared for generations.
Studio spaces include–
4-forge blacksmithing shop (Summit Compound)
Glass studio (Ravens Cabin)
Large overhead ventilation system (Ravens & Trillium Cabins)
2 large kilns (Ravens & Trillium Cabins)
2 smaller annealing kilns (Ravens & Trillium Cabins)
4 minor burners for torch work (Trillium Cabin)
Multi-use space for visual arts (Summit Compound, Ravens & Trillium Cabins)
Large flat screen for digital instruction (mobile to any cabin)
