The Land & The People

The Land We Are On

We acknowledge this place, its history, and the people - past, present, and future - upon whose traditional lands we live and work. Hedgebrook is located on the territory of the Lower Skagit, Swinomish, Suqamish, and Snohomish tribes - the island Tscha-kole-chy, named Whidbey Island by colonial settlers.

The people who come to stay at Hedgebrook are from all parts of the country and world and a variety of cultures, bringing with them a wide range of life experiences. We hope you find this diversity an enriching experience.

We expect all who attend to treat not only your fellow residents, but also the Hedgebrook land, cottages, staff, and surrounding environs with utmost respect and courtesy. We reserve the right to ask any resident who disturbs their fellow writers, does not follow COVID-19 protocols, or does not observe residency conditions to leave immediately. In the event a resident is asked to leave, Hedgebrook does not pay any additional expenses incurred due to an early departure.

Your Cottage

Hedgebrook is situated on 48-acres of Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Cedar forest bustling with owls, deer, coyotes and rabbits (we don’t have any bears!). Each cottage is outfitted with a wood-burning stove, a feature important to our founder Nancy Nordhoff, who wanted writers to be able to heat their space with wood from the trees surrounding them. We lay the first fire for you, and then you’re on your own. Read alumna Ellen McLaughlin’s essay, What My Woodstove Has Taught Me About Writing.

Your Daily Routine

To familiarize yourself with everything Hedgebrook, please review the digital version of the Cottage Notebook before your arrival. A printed copy is located in your cottage. We’ve also included answers to commonly asked questions below.

• Research Support: Evie Wilson-Lingbloom, our volunteer research librarian, has written Roots For Your Stories: A Mini Tutorial For Hedgebrook Writers.

• Local Transportation: While we encourage you to settle into your retreat experience vs. planning excursions around the island, if you must leave the retreat, taxis are available. The contact information is in the Cottage Notebook. Staff cannot provide transportation, except on arrival and departure days. If you need to leave the premises, you will be responsible for making your own arrangements and informing staff of your plans. Each Friday, a staff member will take writers to Freeland for a store/pharmacy/post office run. Staff won’t be making special trips to these places other than on Fridays.

• Guests: An important part of the Hedgebrook experience is the solitude and freedom from distraction found in the privacy of your own cottage. At this time, no guests of residents are permitted at Hedgebrook during your stay. We do have occasional visitors for service or fundraising purposes, but they will not be taken to the cottages area unless prior arrangements have been made.

• Pets: We love cats and dogs but unfortunately cannot accommodate visitors' pets at Hedgebrook. Accommodations can be made for trained service animals with prior arrangements.

• Allergies: Please inform us prior to your arrival if you are allergic to dogs, as sometimes our staff’s pets join us on the property. Residents with allergies should bring their own allergy medications, including bee sting kit, etc. for safety. We will make every effort to ensure your comfort, but be sure to bring any allergy medications you require.

• Smoking: Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all of the buildings at all times and within 25 feet of all building entrances. Smoking/vaping is allowed outdoors only and butts should be discarded in designated areas. We provide a flower pot with rocks as an ashtray when needed (please ask staff). Please do not burn the butts in the wood stove.