In October 1995 the University of Oregon announced the establishment of two nationally-significant centers - The Shire: The John Yeon Preserve for Landscape Studies and John Yeon Center for Architectural Studies: The Watzek House and Cottrell House. Then UO President David Frohnmayer said at the October public announcement, ''I am proud to be announcing these gifts to the University of Oregon, not only for the far-reaching impact they will have on our educational mission, but also for the profound place they hold as treasures in our cultural heritage.''

The John Yeon Center for Architectural Studies was founded in 1995 by Richard Louis Brown with the gift of the Watzek House to the University of Oregon, while the John Yeon Center for Landscape Studies was founded in 1995 by the John Yeon Trust with the gift of The Shire and its endowment to the University of Oregon.

The Watzek House and its garden hold a pivotal position in the history of architecture in the Pacific Northwest while the Cottrell House exhibits many of design elements that came to be associated with John Yeon’s work. The Shire is a unique landscape, sensitively designed as a private park in the heart of the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The two centers offer unique learning settings for those who will shape the landscape and building environments of the future; those who create fine art; and those who educate others about the arts, design and architecture.



In addition, the John Yeon Centers sponsors the John Yeon Lecture Series, the John Yeon Faculty Grant Program, and various student class and independent projects.

For more information please contact:
Telephone: (541) 346-2072
E-mail: yeongrf@uoregon.edu