This month join us for an evening outside at the Shack at Sellwood Park!
Constructed in 1910\, the building was the first branch of the YMCA in Portland\, housing a residential hotel for the men who worked in the old Sellwood Log Mill\, a small swimming pool (decommissioned in 1940) and a thriving basketball program for youth boys. Vestiges of these uses remain\; the swimming pool lies dormant beneath the studio\, preschool classrooms and offices still bear the original dorm room numbers and the historic gym still echoes with young athletes.
By 1918 the City or Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation (PPR) was teaching classes at SCH and by 1920 had purchased the building as the second City-run community center. The building was placed on the National Historic Register in 2006\, one of only three such-designated buildings in the neighborhood at that time. It is also a Portland Historic Landmark.
Sellwood Community House continues the century-long tradition of service to the Portland community\, offering exceptional preschool\, after school\, teen\, adult and senior programming\, as well as family support\, drop-in activities\, versatile rental spaces and vibrant community events.. Striving to continually adapt to changing community needs\, in 2025 Sellwood Community House launched its community-funded summer recreation program at The Shack at Sellwood Park. Inspired by Portland'\;s historic summer programs\, The Shack reimagines summer recreation by creating an accessible community "\;third place"\; that eases parental stress\, empowers youth\, connects families and builds community across generations.