Giving Levels

• Friend: $25 – $99
  Contribute to the many Friends projects and enjoy acommemorative gift.
• Explorer: $100 – $499
  Contribute to Restoration projects and enjoy a box of greeting cards.
• Caveman: $500 – $999
  Contribute to the Legends of the Oregon Caves and enjoy a 10% discount on dinner for two.
• Adventurer: $1,000 to $2,499
  Contribute to the Restored Guest Room or Guide Dormitory and enjoy a 10% discount on one stay.
• Spelunker: $2,500 – $4,999
  Contribute to a Cultural or Educational Program and enjoy a 20% discount on one stay.
• Sam Baker Society: $5,000 to $25,000
  Contribute to the Guide Dormitory or Chateau restoration and enjoy one complimentary night.
• Gust Lium Society: $25,000 or more
  We welcome you to support the restoration of a guest room and enjoy a complimentary night for each of three seasons.

For over 100 years, visitors from all over the United States and foreign countries have enjoyed the remarkable Oregon Caves National Monument.  Nestled high in the splendor of the botanically rich Siskiyou Mountains, generations of families have returned to enjoy cave tours, hiking and learning about the rare marble cave geology of the region.   The Oregon Caves Chateau, a National  Historic Landmark and the primary historic structure in the Monument, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been welcoming guests for almost 75 years.

The Oregon Caves and its unique Chateau are one of the most remarkable parts of our community.  In addition to being a part of our common heritage, the Oregon Caves National Monument constitutes an important economic asset for the communities of the Illinois Valley, the Oregon Coast and Grants Pass.  Tourism and recreation dollars contribute to many sectors of the region, including employment at the Caves and Chateau and increased traffic at local businesses.

Most visitors will remember the experience for a lifetime. While the Caves natural wonder endures, the Chateau needs our help.

There are a variety of ways you can donate

Through the Oregon Community Fund

Friends of the Oregon Caves Chateau – OCF Fund
The Oregon Community Foundation
1221 SW Yamhill St, #100
Portland, OR 97205

Additionally, Amy Cuddy at OCF can work with you to establish a bequest or a lifetime gift.

By Mail

Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau
P.O. Box 2195
Grants Pass, OR 97528

Online

Why take action now?

2009 was an important year for the Caves. Commemorations and celebrations occurred throughout the season celebrating the Monument’s 100th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of the Chateau.

The visibility provided by these commemorations, kicked off the Campaign to restore the historic Chateau’s interior and furnishings. Donations by friends and supporters demonstrating local, statewide and national support is essential to gain the attention of the NPS budget process in order for the Chateau’s full structural restoration to be realized.

There is much to cherish. This Chateau, built during the Depression, still retains the local timbers and cedar bark harvested from logs on the Oregon Coast. The Chateau’s original lighting fixtures and many historic details bring joy to visitors. However, many of the Chateau’s original features urgently require attention. Lack of insulation in the guest rooms, creaky plumbing, badly aged electrical and heating systems and worn interiors all require upgrading to allow the Chateau to realize its historic contribution to both culture and the local economy.

Specific Goals of the Friends:

• Restore a the second phase of  model room –  prior to the opening of the 2012 season $50,000
• Restore the 22 guest rooms and their Historic Monterey Furniture – $25,000 for each room
• Restore the lobby, restaurants and common public places – $200,000

The Friends depend on your tax-deductible donations to help support the Monument and to restore the grandeur of one the nation’s oldest Great Lodges, the Oregon Caves Chateau. Its unique collection of historic Monterey Furniture allows visitors to share the Chateau’s excitement and grandeur. While the Chateau is one of only three publicly-owned historic lodges in Oregon that provides overnight accommodations, both Timberline Lodge and Crater Lake Lodge have already been restored in this fashion. Now it’s time for the Oregon Caves Chateau!