Oregon’s first HIV and AIDS end-of-life care facility in Portland is now recognized on the National Register.

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Portland's Juniper House is now recognized on the National Historic Register of Historic Places for its exceptional significance in both the LGBTQ+ and health history.

Southeast Portland’s Buckman neighborhood has a home being highlighted for its critical contribution to Portlanders living with HIV and AIDS.

Portland’s Juniper House is now recognized on the National Historic Register of Historic Places for its exceptional significance in both the LGBTQ+ and health history.

The former end-of-life care facility for those living with HIV and AIDS claimed its spot on the list by the National Park Service earlier this month.

“By honoring the physical edifice of Juniper House as a highly significant landmark, we are not only honoring the lives of those who were so lovingly cared for there, we are honoring the true spirit of Oregon.” Joe E. Doherty, property owner, said in a release.

Juniper House, 2006 S.E. Ankeny St., operated for just two years from 1987 to 1989 and was the first facility of its kind in Oregon. It created influence for similar facilities to open across the Pacific Northwest during the height of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, according to the city of Portland.

Portland’s Our House is one site that opened in the 1990s and continues to provide integrated health and housing services to Portlanders living with HIV and AIDS. Other facilities were opened in places like Roseburg, Hillsboro and Eugene.

“This new nomination elevates Portland’s history of compassionate care and mutual aid during a difficult time in local, state, and national history,” Cayla McGrail, associate project manager for the LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project, said in a statement. “HIV and AIDS care and activism will not be forgotten thanks to the nomination and Portland’s land use protections for our diverse landmarks.”

It all started with three Portlanders: Doug Foland, Jan Weyeneth and John Trevitts.

The trio banded together in response to the increasing need for personalized support and care for people living with HIV and AIDS.

According to the city of Portland, Trevitts secured an early 1900s Craftsman home in the Buckman neighborhood. The goal was to provide a sense of normalcy for residents while giving them intentional privacy, discretion and safety.

After four months of opening, Juniper House was featured in documentaries with local news crews who broadcasted the experiences of seven residents with HIV and AIDS.

The city of Portland’s LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project sponsored the National Register of Historic Places nomination.

Juniper House will remain a visible landmark and cultural sites for years to come with this listing, which results in land use protections against demolition codified in the city’s zoning code. Historic landmarks can receive additional preservations and rehabilitation incentives if owners choose to participate in those programs.

This designation is the fourth Oregon property listed in the National Register for LGBTQ+ history, following Old Town drag venue Darcelle XV’s 2020 designation and the Crystal Hotel and Normandale Field’s 2024 designations.

“HIV and AIDS history is vital to our history, not just for LGBTQ+ communities, but also for health and organizing. Juniper House reflects a piece of this story by centering community activism, mutual aid, and resilience. This new nomination proudly elevates these experiences within the National Register of Historic Places.” McGrail said.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/3rws96kd.