Built in 1918 by Mountaineer volunteers, Kitsap Cabin is located approximately 7 miles west of Bremerton in unincorporated Kitsap County. The 21 acre property is also the home of the Forest Theatre and several utility buildings. It is owned by the Mountaineers Club of Seattle and is listed on the Washington State's Heritage Register as an historically significant site. A dedicated group of Mountaineer Club volunteers work to operate, maintain, and preserve this property and its heritage. Kitsap Cabin serves today as the home of the Mountaineer Players, and the Kitsap Branch of the Mountaineers Club. The cabin is also available for community events.

The years took their toll on the Cabin, though, and, in 1999, a study commissioned by the Club’s Board of Trustees concluded that the Cabin should be closed.  The cabin was closed by the Board in October of 2000.

Saving the Cabin:

In response, a new team of volunteers led by members of the Kitsap/Players Committee of the Club’s Property Division, developed a plan to save the historic structure.  The volunteer team was successful in getting the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to list Kitsap Cabin and the adjoining Forest Theater on the Washington Heritage Register in 2001, affirming the site's historical significance.

The Foundation collaborated with the team and established the Kitsap Restoration Fund to allow contributors to make tax-deductible contributions to support the restoration of the historic site.  The Foundation kicked things off by agreeing to match the first $25,000 in contributions to the Fund.  The Club’s Everett Branch donated $7,500 and the Players staged a special production of The Music Man that raised over $10,000 in the fall of 2001.  In four months, with the active fund-raising support of the volunteer team, the Fund swelled to more than $100,000.

Restoration:

Thanks to donors to the Fund, and thousands of hours of volunteer and professional work from Club members and other stakeholders in the Kitsap community, the first phase of the restoration was completed in September of 2002.  The Cabin had a new foundation and electrical system, a rebuilt river rock fireplace, new porches and an access ramp that complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), a new roof, new siding/insulation and reconditioned windows. This has all been made possible by a mixture of donations and grant money from the Foundation. Kitsap Cabin was re-opened for use by the Club's board of Trustees in April 2002, 18 months after it's closure. Photos of the many volunteer workparties that built up to this major achievement can be seen on the foresttheater.com site.

The Work Continues:

Today, the Cabin is again a vital hub for outdoor activities.  It continues to support the needs of the Players and the Kitsap Branch of the Club, is available for community events, and may one day include an interpretive center for the Rhododendron Preserve and an
educational resource center.  A dedicated group of Club volunteers operate, maintain, and preserve this property and its heritage. Critical maintenance and improvements are needed including upgraded kitchen facilities, audio visual equipment, and grounds keeping improvements to ensure this facility continues to serve the community. The recent re-siding and windows replacement for Kitsap cabin can be seen here. The Forest Theater also requires work in the area of elderly and disabled access, sound improvements to ensure all audiance members can hear, and transportation alternatives for people who cannot negotiate the theatre trial.

Please support our work to ensure this vital resource is available for future generations. Donations of $1000 or more will be permanently honored by an inscription of your choice on a stepping stone approaching the Kitsap Cabin main entrance.