Lake Chelan Community Center dedicates John and Helen Horan Indoor Playroom

CHELAN — The Lake Chelan Community Center hosted a private dedication ceremony Aug. 9 for the newly established John and Helen Horan Indoor Playroom, honoring the legacy of a family whose roots in the Chelan Valley date back to the late 1800s.

Approximately 40 family members, including fifth-generation descendants, attended the event, traveling from across Washington and as far as Scottsdale, Arizona. The ceremony brought together relatives of John Rankin Horan and Helen Vandevor Horan, along with representatives from the Seven Acres Foundation, which operates the center.

“We found it on Facebook and got involved because we’ve seen how community centers change lives,” said Erin Shagren, granddaughter of John and Helen Horan, who led the family’s involvement in the project.

The playroom was designed as a nurturing space for young children in their earliest developmental years. Its design reflects the Horans’ connection to the region’s orchard traditions and fishing culture, featuring elements such as a fishing boat, an apple tree and a bear in the woods.

John Rankin Horan, born in 1898 in a historic cabin purchased by his family two years earlier, was the brother of Walt Horan, who served as a U.S. congressman representing Chelan County from 1943 to 1965. Helen Horan, who lived to 101, was known for her community involvement and work as an apple orchardist in Wenatchee.

In the late 1940s, John Horan purchased land at Fields Point as a family retreat. Over four decades, portions were shared with relatives, creating a multi-generational gathering place that continues today.

The original Horan cabin, where Walt Horan was born, was later disassembled, transported and rebuilt with help from Cashmere Explorer Post #88, furnished by family members.

The new playroom expands the center’s capacity to serve families with young children and supports the Seven Acres Foundation’s mission to provide resources for residents at all stages of life.