Structural Preservation:
Central Campus Logs &
Schoolhouse Masonry
OUR ANNUAL "PASS THE HAT" FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Fundraising Goal: $100,000
Click to Make a Donation via Your Clearing User AccountPass the Hat
The Clearing’s Pass the Hat Campaign is an annual fund-raising event for special projects at The Clearing. Beginning in 2009, this campaign has raised over $750,000! This has helped support many projects, including the historic building and landscape renovations, the construction of a new forge and metals studio, a complete kitchen renovation, improved trail accessibility and so much more!
2026: CENTRAL CAMPUS LOGS & SCHOOLHOUSE MASONRY
This year’s campaign seeks to raise $100,000 to support critical structural preservation work on several of The Clearing’s most significant historic buildings. Work on the central campus log buildings and Schoolhouse stonework will begin this November after the 2026 Summer Program season.
So, once again, we’re Passing the Hat and inviting you to join our building conservation efforts by making a contribution, in whatever amount, today!
2009Root CellarRenovation
2010Schoolhouse Mural Recreation
2012Lodge Kitchen Garden Restoration
2017New Forge & Metals Studio
2018Visitor Center Road & Parking Updates
2020 New Kitchen
2021-2022Flagstone Walks
2023Natural History Interpretive Trail
2024 & 2025Building Conservation
Safeguarding Our Extraordinary Heritage...
Dear Friends,
Thank you all for your ongoing support of The Clearing.
In 2026 (and last year), I’ve been talking to our guests about our continued focus on the much needed repairs for the structural integrity of The Clearing’s many historic buildings. This year, we are asking you to assist by considering a donation toward the critical repair of The Clearing’s log cabin buildings where students reside during their stay on campus, many of which have been here since Jens Jensen’s days. We have also been advised to begin the task of tuckpointing Jens Jensen’s historic Schoolhouse as well. Tuckpointing of the mortar between the stones on the Jensen-designed Schoolhouse exterior will protect it from further erosion due to the seepage of rain and snow melt. These well-loved buildings are on the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
The plan is not to update these buildings in any way, which may compromise our historic designations, but rather to repair or replace the identified deteriorated logs with new, time-worn salvaged logs and related chinking on the cabins. This log repair work is scheduled to start after the 2026 Summer Program of classes ends in early November and additional work is scheduled prior to the 2027 season start. The Schoolhouse tuckpointing will not begin before we get the log cabin structures completed; however, I wanted to let you know our need to do so in the very near future. These are important efforts to safeguard the buildings’ structural integrity for the long term.
We staff members continue to take our caretaker role very seriously by preserving the extraordinary heritage of this special place. The landscape, the unique architecture, the feeling of history and longevity, the efforts of staff, all play a role in making The Clearing a welcoming and calming place creating community and art in its many forms. Taking care of this property and its structures is a privilege that we take very seriously.
We hope you find a bit of excitement, as we do, in continuing to protect Jens Jensen’s legacy by donating to the 2026 Pass the Hat campaign for these building repairs.
Thank you - we appreciate your support more than we can ever say!
Tammy Musiel
Executive Director
