Restoring a home for the arts in Eastern Oregon

The Drexel H Foundation will soon get a permanent home at Vale's historic Grand Opera House with support from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

The Foundation is known for providing art, humanities and multicultural experiences to youth and families, especially its free arts programs for children. But historical preservation is also embedded in its mission.

Built in 1896, the Grand Opera House is listed on the National Register of Historic places. Restoring the building has been in the works since 1994, when the Foundation helped save it from demolition.

The Cultural Trust grant award will go toward creating ADA accessible bathrooms, allowing the building to be fully open to the public.

"Currently our program is limited because we have to pay for other spaces," says Sandijean Fuson, who has served as the Foundation's volunteer president for 25 years. "Once the Grand Opera House is functioning, we can increase our programming."

The restoration will add resources for the greater Vale community as well. The building will boast a free electric vehicle charging station, an outdoor public art gallery, a complimentary bike repair station and function as an informal welcome center.

Story by Max Tapogna