TFG Events & Workshops

Community Building Project: Oso Memorial

The Timber Framers Guild returns to western Washington for the next phase of the Oso Slide Memorial. In late 2020, Guild members gathered in Monroe, Washington, to fabricate the memorial portals, which were raised at each end of the memorial park in Oso. The work continues this spring, with an entry arbor, gathering shelter, reflection pavilion, and survivors’ shelter. 

Background:
On March 22, 2014, at 10:37 a.m., the SR530 or Oso Slide engulfed the community around Steelhead Haven, Washington, in the single deadliest landslide in United States history. The mud and debris from the adjacent mountainside destroyed 49 homes and ended the lives of 43 people. Community members immediately responded, bringing excavation equipment and shovels to help with the search and rescue effort. At times they were digging with their hands. Those who came were there to help, to find survivors, and later to recover friends and loved ones. As the response extended, those involved became determined to bring as much comfort to those who lost family and they did not stop searching until July 22, when the last of the 43 victims was recovered.

About the Project:
In 2020, instructors and volunteers built memorial portals at either end of the slide area. In 2023, we will fabricate and raise timber frame pavilions for the memorial park. The cutting of the frames will be done at Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington.

When completed, the frames will be transported and erected at the memorial park located just east of the village of Oso on State Route 530. This is the fourth project the Guild has done with Snohomish County. The weeklong project held May 7–13 (with May 14 as contingency day) will require volunteers of all skill levels and several instructors, and consists of four small structures: an entry arbor, community gathering shelter, survivors’ shelter, and reflection pavilion. We will also build two sign frames. The frames include a number of curved braces and scribe rule framing will be an educational feature of this workshop to accommodate the curved timbers.

Please contact Project Manager Bill Sturm with questions. 

Registration is now open! You must be a Guild member to participate! (Join the Guild HERE.) Volunteer applications do not guarantee acceptance; please do not make travel arrangements until you've received notification of acceptance. 

Contact info@tfguild.org for more information.

Registration has concluded on May 5, 2023.