Oregon Historic Places Receive Large Grants for Restoration Projects

Several of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places have received large grants from the Oregon Cultural Trust’s Cultural Development Program recently, including:

Friends of Santiam Pass Ski Lodge, Sisters: $29,080 To support the restoration of historic Santiam Pass Ski Lodge through the repair and restoration of its iconic stone foundation, chimney, and fireplace.  

Drexel H. Foundation, Vale: $30,050 To support the installation of safety access stairs as well as electrical and sewer connections vital for the preservation of the 1895 Grand Opera House. The improvements are part of a large multi-phased project revitalizing a rural Oregon Main Street. The project reflects a shared vision of economic vitality, pride in Vale’s pioneer heritage, and a goal to use the second floor as a community art center.  

Lakeview Community Partnership, Lakeview: $32,523 To support the restoration of the Alger Theater Marquee and Annex Facade to their 1940 historic Art Deco design and colors. Lakeview Community Partnership acquired the Alger Theater in 2018 and the adjacent Annex in 2021 through a gift from the Reser Foundation to be remodeled in the future to accommodate performance-related needs.

Little Theatre on the Bay, North Bend: $18,990 To support the expansion and enhancement of North Bend’s historic Liberty Theatre to allow for a greater range of diverse casts and performances. 

In addition, the Willamette Community and Grange Hall Historic Building Foundation in Corvallis is receiving $21,326 to support the restoration and preservation of the historic Willamette Community and Grange Hall by repairing and restoring the wooden window frames and sashes, sills, siding and trim with age-appropriate materials; caulking and painting the entire exterior; and facilitating community outreach, education and social programs.

The Liberty Theatre in La Grande, a rural historic theater, is receiving a major grant award of $585,534 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support its restoration and help attract visitors to downtown La Grande. The project will be matched with $218,887 in local funds and is expected to generate $150,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors. 

Photo Above: Shown here in May 2022, the Liberty Theatre first opened its doors in 1910 as a venue for live performances. It later became a moviehouse and screened the classics of the day right up to its closure in 1959. The Liberty Theatre Foundation, an independent nonprofit, is restoring the building for operation as a performing arts center. Photo by Dale Mammen.