Hello from the History Department. Along with many examples of Native artwork and sculpture at the Kalama Harbor Lodge, there is a guest room named for the indigenous Chinook people, who thrived in the region “since time immemorial.” Sharing their history is a just one way to honor those who came first. As we know…

Hello from the History Department. Did you miss Fibonacci Day, on 11/23? Yeah, we did, too. Below, Justyn Livingston, for whom we named a room in the Art House at Old St. Francis School in Bend, OR, explains her artistic inspiration through the teachings of mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci (ca. 1170–1250). You might already be familiar…

Today is Terminator’s 34th birthday celebration (pints for $4.50! Growler fills just $9! 20% off Terminator merch!) — but here is some fascinating company history about one of our flagship beers. Behold, the original Hammerhead logo, compliments of McMenamins artist Lyle Hehn, conceived on February 1, 1992. A triumphant, confident pose, overalls and rolled-up shirtsleeves,…

Think you’re a McMenamins history buff? Identify the five properties associated with these celebrities. Property #1 Actors River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves with director Gus Van Sant Property #2 A Mc regular with Bruce Springsteen Property #3 Krist Novolselić, co-founder of Nirvana Property #4 Mc employee with Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard Property #5 Sasquatch,…

Hello from the History Department. This coming Monday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day. McMenamins History Department first sent out the post below in November 2018, but the holiday’s origin story (which has a tie back to the Tacoma Elks lodge and this fantastic historic artifact to accompany it) bears repeating as this November 11th marks…

Hello from the History Department. In honor of the World Series, this week’s history post is about a NY Yankee who was also a Kennedy School alumnus: Don Johnson. (No, not that Don Johnson of Miami Vice, but this one of Portland….) ********* “I was no superstar, but I played with the best players who…

Hello from the History Department. Sister Mary Sebastian is remembered by students at St. Francis School in Bend, OR, as the Converse All-Star sneaker-wearing teacher who taught for just a short time in the early 1960s, but left a lasting impression. One former student recalled, “She was very spontaneous, very energetic and tall. She’d even…

Hello from the History Department. This brightly colored painting hangs in the pub at McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma, WA. But it wasn’t painted by one of our staff artists. This original oil painting, called Student Prince (ca. early 1930s), was graciously made available by Rudy Hansen, longtime employee at the revered Heidelberg Brewery of…

Hello from the History Department. On September 30, former Crystal Ballroom production manager Glen Rinzler of Showcall Event Services passed away here in Portland after a long illness. His mom was by his side. He’d only been with the Crystal for a handful of years, yet he’d already made an indelible mark with legendary music…

Hello from the History Department. It’s October, the time of year when everyone wants to hear about the McMenamins ghosts. So here’s one “ghost” story, penned by a certain someone at the top of our company, that explains why we named the 3rd floor attic rooms at the Grand Lodge the way we did. Make…