05/13/2026
Historic Preservation, Community Arts, and Future Possibilities Highlight Ontario Area Chamber May Luncheon
The May monthly luncheon hosted by the Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce featured an inspiring presentation from Sandijean Fuson, President of The Drexel H. Foundation, who shared the story behind one of Eastern Oregon’s most passionate historic preservation and arts movements.
Held in Ontario, the luncheon brought together community members, business leaders, and supporters interested in the future of rural communities, historic restoration, and cultural development throughout Malheur County and Eastern Oregon.
Fuson spoke about how her work began with a simple realization:
“They are not making any more old buildings.”
That thought became the driving force behind The Drexel H. Foundation and its ongoing efforts to preserve Vale’s historic Grand Opera House and the old Drexel Hotel while creating opportunities for future generations through arts, education, and community programming.
Founded in the 1990s, the foundation takes its name from the original 1908 Vale Hotel, formerly known as the Drexel Hotel. What started as an effort to save deteriorating historic buildings from demolition eventually grew into a much larger mission focused on community revitalization and youth engagement through the arts.
Fuson shared how the foundation combines restoration with opportunity, offering free art camps, songwriting contests, talent shows, filmmaking workshops, children’s film festivals, and community cultural events across Eastern Oregon. Programs are designed to give young people access to creativity and confidence-building experiences regardless of financial circumstances.
One story shared reflected the heart behind the organization’s mission. Fuson recalled a student once telling her:
“I know I’m not going to win, but I want someone to hear my poetry.”
That moment, she explained, reinforced the importance of creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and encouraged.
Displays showcased the long restoration journey of the historic Grand Opera House in Vale, including years of repairs, structural improvements, restoration work, and the foundation’s ongoing vision to transform the building into a community arts center. The vision includes art programs, cultural events, and gathering spaces for the community while preserving an important piece of Eastern Oregon history.
Guests also learned about the foundation’s growing list of community projects and annual events, including Art in the Park, youth art camps, filmmaking workshops, talent shows, bottle drive fundraisers, cultural displays, and self-guided historic tours throughout Vale.
Pictured at the luncheon were Sandijean Fuson, Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO John Breidenbach, and Noah Carlson, Social Media and Marketing Specialist.
The luncheon served as another example of how the Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce continues bringing together organizations, nonprofits, and businesses working to strengthen communities throughout the Treasure Valley and Eastern Oregon.
For more information about the Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce, contact:
251 SW 9th Street
Ontario, Oregon 97914
(541) 889-8012
Website: https://ontariochamber.com/ 
For more information about The Drexel H. Foundation, visit:
 https://thedrexelfoundation.org/
