Whether you are a supporter of early childhood education, performing arts, youth development through horsemanship, or preservation of historical places - you can check all those boxes with this one special cause.

Built in 1918, the teacher’s Cottage and the adjacent Lakeview Schoolhouse (home to Sunnybeam) are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fire it suffered 3 years ago left the dwelling uninhabitable. As a very rare gem of island history this cottage can’t be left to rot!

In the early 60’s, community-based Pioneer Park Youth Club, took over the property as a land trust with a mission to foster the learning of children. This goal already has a rich history through occupants Sunnybeam, Children’s Dance Conservancy, and MI Saddle Club, plus newcomer MI Pony Club. We need this cottage as a home for a caretaker to oversee safety and maintenance for this lively place which has seen hundreds of kids and families go through its gates for a century and will for decades to come!

Please consider donating to our grassroots fundraiser: ‘Care for the Cottage’! We’re asking you, our Mercer Island neighbors, to make a tax-deductible contribution to fund the cottage restoration.