Restoration efforts for the historic theater began nearly 20 years ago and are nearly complete. The hope is this building could serve as a mecca for the arts in the Northeast Oregon town.
Courtesy of Rob McIntyre
The historic Gem Theatre in Athena, Oregon, may be ready to open its doors again soon after almost 55 years.
The building was initially built as a saloon in 1901 until it was transformed into a theater eight years later. It has also served as a storefront, bus station and even a bomb shelter before finally closing in 1968, due to the rising popularity of television.
Rob McIntyre, the program manager of the theater’s restoration project, has raised over $2 million dollars and spent the last 20 years on this labor of love. He says entering the theater’s basement for the first time made him feel like Indiana Jones exploring a forgotten tomb.
“There were sheets of cobwebs that were floor to ceiling,” he said.
The Gem Theatre lives right next door to the Star Saloon, which has also been undergoing restoration and will serve as a foyer for the theater as well as a musuem.
Courtesy of Rob McIntyre
McIntyre didn’t initially think he’d spend almost 20 years working to restore the theater to its former glory, but he was driven by the desire to provide a space for fine arts in the rural Oregon town.
“In small towns, we never have access to the arts,” he said. “This seemed like a natural fit.”
Over the years, McIntyre has recruited around 400 students over the years to aid in the effort. Elsa Rogers, a senior at Weston-McEwen High School, has been volunteering for the project since she was a 5th grader.
She has spent countless hours laying floorboards, painting walls, hauling sheets of drywall with other students and other “kid-friendly” work. She said this project started out as something fun to do with friends, but as she has gotten older has realized the impact it will have on the community.
“It’s been really meaningful,” she said. “As I kind of get ready to jump the nest of my hometown, I see that this is going to be something I can leave behind.”
For nearly two decades, hundreds of students from the Athena Weston School District have aided in the restoration project by helping move dry wall, laying down floorboards and painting walls.
Courtesy of Rob McIntyre
When McIntyre began the work for this project, he heard stories from community members about the rich history and role this building had in the town. Residents shared stories from Charlie Chaplin films being played in 1915, to love stories and first dates in the 1950s and ‘60s.
But despite much love, praise and fond memories shared, there were just as many people who doubted McIntyre and his dream.
“In any community, you’re gonna have your critics,” he said. “We tolerated it because we didn’t really have any choice.”
To pay homage to those who said this project would never get done, McIntyre and his students put together a time capsule and hid a skeleton named Dr. No within the walls of the theater, something to represent everyone who said their idea was impossible.
The Gem Theatre was donated to the city in 2004, marking the beginning of the restoration efforts.
Courtesy of Rob McIntyre
The building is still needing handrails, some seating and the occupancy permit. McIntyre also needs to raise some funds for stage equipment, but he is hopeful for an opening by the end of the year.
“I’m so excited to bring some art into our tiny little town,” Rogers said.