Where History Blooms and a Resilient Future Takes Root
In November, construction began in the Elk Rock Garden manor house, allowing us to make upgrades to a number of key building systems including plumbing, wiring and HVAC. We are doing our best to keep disruptions in the garden to a minimum, while working to ensure the building’s long-term preservation.
Continue reading “Mission-Aligned Nonprofit Office Partners Sought”
Elk Rock Garden is looking for volunteers to assist our gardener with raking, weeding, the removal of invasive plants, and other garden maintenance tasks. We also welcome volunteers for help with administrative tasks, fundraising and special events.
If you have a talent you’d like to put to use at the garden, please provide your contact information and the skills you’d like to share by filling out this online form:
We’re thrilled to share that Elk Rock Garden’s Preservation Fund, launched in September 2025, is already making a meaningful difference in restoring and maintaining our historic grounds!
Continue reading “Restoration Update: Progress and Ongoing Needs”
This summer marked a significant milestone for the UO Pacific Northwest Field School program as they celebrated their 30th anniversary year with an immersive three-week residency at Elk Rock Garden.
Continue reading “Celebrating Thirty Years of Preservation Education: The University of Oregon’s Pacific Northwest Field School Program Helps Transform the Elk Rock Garden Property”
Built in 1895 by Scottish immigrant, Peter Kerr, the ten acre garden is a bastion of peace and serenity for all to enjoy. This soothing virtual tour was filmed by
Béla R. Balogh with drone and handheld cameras during the week of September 15th, 2025.
The garden was created in the 1890s. Thanks to UO’s Pacific Northwest Field School program, students and instructors from the Pacific Northwest and beyond are restoring the site’s polish for visitors.
The historic Elk Rock Garden is undergoing a restoration.
The historic estate, located on South Military Lane, is enjoying some much needed restoration thanks to students from the University of Oregon, and experts from across the country. Students are learning hands-on techniques that preserve not just the buildings – but also the heritage of the estate.
The famous Elk Rock Garden estate, created during the Gilded Age in Portland’s affluent Dunthorpe enclave, has a new mission: To promote healthy ecosystems and climate resiliency in all neighborhoods…
We were delighted to host the ISLE Project to Elk Rock Garden this morning! The ISLE Project is an independent nonprofit organization that provides overnight expeditions in the natural world. ISLE stands for “Integrated Science Learning Experiences” and the 5th and 6th grade students who visited the garden today were on a Headwaters to Ocean (H20) expedition, following the path of a drop of water from the Coastal Range watershed to the Pacific Ocean. Topics highlighted on their expedition will include marine biology, estuary ecology, river dynamics, earth systems, forest ecology, and hydrology. Elk Rock Garden was the first stop on the group’s trek to the Pacific Ocean and this marks the first of several planned visits to Elk Rock Garden this school year.
To learn more about the ISLE Project, visit isleproject.org .
