Woodburn Historical Museum and Bungalow Theatre Preservation Project
Location: Woodburn, Oregon
Year Constructed: 1905 (Woodburn Historical Museum), 1894 (Bungalow Theatre)
Work Completed: 2023
Nominator: City of Woodburn
Project Budget: $1,050,000
DeMuro Award Recognizes: Oregon Heritage, Reuse, Equity
History: The Woodburn Historical Museum (formerly known as the Woodburn World’s Berry Center Museum) was constructed in 1905, while the Bungalow Theatre, the town’s only remaining historic theater, was built as a furniture store in 1894 and converted to theater use around 1911. The restoration of both structures to form a single community-focused complex was a project nearly 40 years in the making and an excellent case study for saving a rural historic theater–a category of Restore Oregon’s Most Endangered Places list since 2020.
Overview: Restoration work included seismic updates, facade improvement, and interior remodels of both the Woodburn Museum and Bungalow Theatre. Combined, the two buildings now offer a unique community meeting and event space that houses a stage for plays, presentations, and movies. The space also highlights the rich cinematic, architectural, and cultural history of Woodburn, which is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Oregon, with a Russian Old Believer population of 15% and a Hispanic population of 56%. In fact, over 90% of downtown businesses are owned and operated by Latino families.
The City of Woodburn, along with many hardworking volunteers, community members and fundraisers, hope this downtown gem will serve as a popular meeting place and community hub where people will gather, socialize and learn more about Woodburn’s diverse history.
Congratulations to the entire project team:
City of Woodburn
DECA Architecture, Inc.
EMTech, Inc.
Natalys Construction LLC
Engelman Electric
Photos by City of Woodburn Staff.