Come Visit With Us!

Posted on June 16, 2026 by gardenhomehistoryproject

There are two upcoming opportunities to visit with us in the community — and we’d love to see you!

On Saturday, June 20th, from noon to 1:30, we’ll be at the Garden Home Community Library’s monthly Neighborhood Cafe at the Rec Center. Come visit with your neighbors and enjoy light refreshments! We’ll have materials available and may even do an informal presentation about something cool from our history.

Then on Sunday, June 28th, from 3 to 5 pm, we’re having our annual Meet & Greet in the backroom at the Old Market Pub. These are fun events with free pizza, people you probably know from around the neighborhood, and cool pictures from our past. The Friends of Alpenrose will be our special guests. Come down and have a pint!

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Garden Home History Project Loses Board Member

Posted on March 11, 2026 by gardenhomehistoryproject

Long-time Garden Home History Project board member, Jan Vern Fredrickson, passed away on December 31st, 2025. He was 71 years old.

Jan entered this world on December 12th, 1954, to parents Vernon Eldur and Jeanette Marguerite (Jager) Fredrickson. He grew up in Garden Home, attending Garden Home Grade School, Whitford Middle, and Beaverton High.

Jan worked in Nevada for a while after high school, but returned to Portland, bought a home on Borthwick Avenue, and got a job at OHSU where he worked until his retirement. His last job was as their food service supervisor. After the deaths of his parents, Jan moved back into the home he grew up in on 78th Avenue here in Garden Home.

Jan loved Dachshunds and always had them as pets. He also took in a Yorkie that friends of his were unable to keep. Jan was the best pet parent a dog could ever have. Jan loved to travel. He and his husband, Kevin Mistler, would take trips every year to visit with family and enjoy our national parks and other attractions from coast to coast.

Jan was dedicated to preserving the history of our community and all our members will feel his loss. Our hearts go out to Kevin, who also sits on our board.

In addition to his husband, Jan Fredrickson is survived by his cousins Cheryl Van Beveren, and her brother Kent Fredrickson.

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Another Goodbye

Posted on March 9, 2026 by gardenhomehistoryproject

Tom Shreve, son of one of the founders of the Garden Home History Project, Elaine Shreve, died after a long battle with cancer on November 16, 2025. Tom was the person behind our website and provided us with other technological help. He also did public presentations about Garden Home history. You may have seen Tom’s most recent talk at our last meet and greet about the WWII plane crash here in Garden Home.

Tom was born to Donald David and Elaine Conklin Shreve on April 25, 1967, along with his twin brother, Andrew. He attended Garden Home Elementary, Whitford Middle, and Beaverton High. He went on to get his bachelor’s from University of Redlands and a master’s from Northwestern University. He majored in math and economics and worked as a Solution Architect.

Tom was known for his witty and dry sense of humor and excellent conversational and advice-giving skills. He enjoyed skiing, reading, math puzzles, poker with the guys, and answering Jeopardy questions.

He is survived by his twin brother, his other brothers John and David, his mother Elaine, and his children Eric and Lavender. His absence will be deeply felt.

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Sorrowful Goodbyes

Posted on March 3, 2026 by gardenhomehistoryproject

The Garden Home History community has lost some good people over the last year or so.

First, we lost Charles Vedder, husband of Garden Home History Project board member Sharon Vedder.

Charlie was a long-time resident of Garden Home, moving here in 1964 when he purchased a trailer on a plot of land.

He met and married Sharon in 1967 and they lived together in that trailer for a while, but when children started appearing it was time to sell the trailer and build a home. They raised 3 children there.

After Charlie retired, he volunteered on the Steamer Portland. He also loved cars all his life—there wasn’t a motor he couldn’t rebuild and get to run. He was always tinkering with things. If it wasn’t working, he brought it home and fixed it, then tried to give it away.

He loved spending time with his 3 children and their spouses and 14 grandkids. He loved the Garden Home area, and was always out walking, sometimes with a grandkid. He started his new journey on June 16, 2025, from his home in Garden Home, as he requested.

He will be dearly missed.

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August 24, 2025 Canine Carnival

Posted on August 30, 2025 by GHHP

THPRD hosted the Canine Carnival at the Garden Home Recreation Center on August 24, 2025. The event included many pop-up tents featuring pet-related products, services, and other interests. There was a dog and owner look-alike contest and a pop-up off-leash doggie park. The Garden Home History Project hosted a booth featuring coloring books and peanut butter spoons for the dogs to enjoy. The event highlighted the community spirit of Garden Home!

Garden Home History volunteers included Mickey Lindsay, Jan Fredrickson, Kevin Mistler, Marie Pacella, John Pacella, Esta Mapes, Patsy VandeVenter, and Sharon Vedder. Check out our ways to Get Involved if you’re interested in joining an active Garden Home group.

Thanks to Kevin Mistler for the photos below.

 

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