Crossroads and Interpretive Center have big plans for recent “Friends of” partnership
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY — A recently announced partnership agreement between the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) and Crossroads Carnegie Art Center of Baker City promises to enhance the visitor experience for heritage tourists and the local community.
The agreement allows Crossroads to run the gift shop at the interpretive center and use a portion of the proceeds to promote the center’s activities. The two organizations will also collaborate on arts, culture, heritage and humanities initiatives. Ginger Savage, Executive Director of Crossroads, says the endeavor aligns seamlessly with Crossroads’ mission of supporting art and culture, “What we’re going to focus on is really an extension of what we do. We want to showcase local artists and carry as many local and regional artists as we can within the space we have.”
In addition to managing the gift shop, Crossroads staff will support the Flagstaff Gallery, the 100-seat Leo Adler Theatre, the outdoor amphitheater and the Wagon Box Theatre, which will be remodeled for functional arts and culture demonstrations.
“It’s always great having volunteers and partners, especially local partners”, said Sarah Sherman from the NHOTIC. “Visitors will be excited to see the new look gift shop and also be very excited about the new look center.”
The interpretive center is undergoing renovations, including a new roof and energy-efficiency upgrades. Additionally, a Native American exhibit is being developed and future updates are expected for the galleries.
The partnership plans to reopen the center in time for Memorial Day weekend 2024 and culminate with the opening of the Gary Ernst Smith Show, a retrospective by a renowned artist who grew up in Baker City.
Savage says this partnership’s goal is to continue to highlight the local community and area. “There’s a special place about the interpretive center and its relationship with Baker County and with eastern Oregon. The center was placed at Flagstaff Hill was placed there for a reason, because the pioneers could see the Blue Mountains and knew they made it to Oregon country.
See the previous report announcing the partnership here.
