Open House Promotes Steiner Cabin Revival

Over the last several years, Mt. Hood has rediscovered one of its most valuable cultural treasures: the Steiner Cabins. On October 18, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum (MHCCM) in Government Camp will host an open house and raffle in honor of these once-forgotten marvels. Get set for fun, education, and some pretty enticing prizes when the event kicks off at 1 p.m.

For any readers who may have missed our coverage of the Steiner Cabins, October 18’s event is the perfect opportunity to learn. These stunning buildings were constructed across the Hoodland area by enterprising architect Henry Steiner. Working alongside his family, Steiner built dozens of cabins (and two churches) between 1920 and 1960. These are no ordinary cabins, either. They were constructed with individual flourishes that distinguish them from cabins built anywhere else in the world.

Want to tap into the history of your community? Get to know your neighbors? Score an overnight stay at a stunning, refurbished Steiner Cabin? This is your event.

Between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., documentarian and resident Steiner expert Ian McCluskey will be speaking about the fascinating history of the cabins, “what makes them special, and how the museum has been creating a community around preserving them and celebrating them.”

One of the highlights of the presentation will be an update on the forthcoming coffee table book being developed by the MHCCM. Gorgeous photographs will accompany the construction and history of the buildings.

During his presentation, McCluskey will also discuss his ongoing efforts to document the remaining Steiner Cabins and allow some time for questions from the audience.

McCluskey is quick to shy away from the “expert” distinction. He describes himself as a “curious researcher.” After restoring a Steiner Cabin using only traditional hand tools and spearheading an effort to document each remaining structure, he may have little choice other than to accept the praise.

For his part, McCluskey gives credit for the emerging interest in Steiner Cabins to former MHCCM Executive Director Lloyd Musser and a team of passionate local historians. 

“Lloyd Musser, Nancy Dougherty, and Judy Arasmith were the folks who were the first to research the Steiner cabins, and drew from the first-hand accounts of John Steiner,” says McCluskey. “They literally pulled the old cabins from the forgotten obscurity of a bygone era and put them on the map.”

It’s taken nearly twenty years, but the effort to revive interest is paying off. Tickets to this year’s Steiner Cabin Tour sold out in moments. Now, the upcoming coffee table book will bring the story to the widest audience yet. And you could get your hands on one.

A $25 raffle ticket will not only support work on the coffee table book, it could earn you a ticket for the book when it releases in 2026. Other lucky winners will get “a private tour of the historic Fogelbo Steiner Log Home in Portland and lunch at the Nordic NW/Soder Broder cafe.” Local artist Steve Ludemann is also offering some of his extraordinary watercolor prints as a raffle prize. There are two big-ticket items: a two-night stay in an authentic Steiner-built cabin (pictured) and another one night stay in another Steiner Cabin.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the bookstore inside the MHCCM, and you don’t need to be present to win.

So go ahead and support the culture and history of the mountain. Buy a raffle ticket (or two) and keep this one-of-a-kind mountain artifact preserved for generations to come!

Steiner Cabins Celebration Open HouseOctober 18, 2025, 1:00–3:30 p.m.Presentation at 2:00 p.m.Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum, Government Camp.

For more information, contact MHCCM (503) 272-3301 or see mthoodmuseum.org.