KENNETH WHITLEY (1918-1979) TIMBERLINE LODGE / MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST / OREGON. Circa 1938.
30x20 inches, 76 1/4x50 3/4 cm.
Condition A-: minor losses and time-staining in margins; minor staining in image. Silkscreen on card.
Timberline lodge was constructed between 1936 and 1938 as part of the Works Progress Administration; Oregon artists and craftspeople help build, furnish and design the interiors of the structure. Prior to its completion, the lodge was dedicated by President Roosevelt on September 28, 1937. In his remarks, the President commented, "This Timberline Lodge marks a venture that was made possible by WPA, emergency relief work, in order that we may test the workability of recreational facilities installed by the Government itself and operated under its complete control . . . those who will follow us to Timberline Lodge on their holidays and vacations will represent the enjoyment of new opportunities for play in every season of the year. I mention specially every season of the year because we, as a nation, I think, are coming to realize that the summer is not the only time for play. I look forward to the day when many, many people from this region of the Nation are going to come here for skiing and tobogganing and various other forms of winter sports." The lodge opened to the public on February 4, 1938. Whitley's previously unrecorded design is reminiscent of a poster designed by William Welsh for Pullman train cars in 1936, featuring a totem-like visage of "Old King Snow" surrounded by vignettes of people enjoying winter sports.