On Friday May 17th, the City of The Dalles is literally lighting up its history and Restore Oregon will be there to celebrate with the community! Prepare to witness the magic unfold as the historic Waldron Drug Building undergoes a remarkable transformation. In collaboration with the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency and The City of The Dalles, Craig and Jessica Winslow are breathing new life into the beloved landmark with the debut of their art project called “Light Capsules #40.” Light Capsules is a series of projection mapped light installations around the world that reanimate historical ghost signage and engage local communities around these fading artifacts. The artist team is digitally restoring the Waldron Drug building’s faded west-facing advertisements. Soon, projectors will illuminate the night, bringing these signs back to their former glory and transforming the building into a mesmerizing spectacle for all to admire.
The Waldron Drug, also known as the historic Gitchell building, has been part of our Oregon’s Most Endangered Places program since 2019. This project marks a new era in finding a future path for the long-term preservation of this 160-year-old building that was constructed of local stone.
We echo the City’s invitation to “join us as we honor the legacy of our historic landmark with an exciting restoration project. The future is bright, and we can't wait to share it with you!”
Image above used for Ghost Lighting “Time Capsules” Project. Image courtesy of City of The Dalles.
Image above shows the west side of the building and the faded mural. Image courtesy of City of The Dalles.