Restore Oregon has selected nine historic projects across Oregon to receive DeMuro Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation, the state’s highest honor for the preservation, reuse, and revitalization of architectural and cultural sites.

In addition, Restore Oregon’s Board of Directors has selected Christine (Chrissy) Curran, recently retired Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, SHPO, to receive the 2025 DeMuro Impact Award in recognition of her contributions to historic preservation statewide. Chrissy joins three other individuals and organizations that have been recognized for their work since the DeMuro Impact Award was first introduced last year. 

Chrissy Curran
Restore Oregon’s Board of Directors has selected Christine Curran to receive the 2025 DeMuro Impact Award. This award recognizes Chrissy’s significant impact on historic preservation in Oregon with over 30 years of service in the field. As the first woman to serve as the Heritage Division Administrator/Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer in Oregon, she has certainly ushered the Oregon SHPO into the 21st century, providing a fresh path for diverse voices at the leadership level. We celebrate Chrissy’s impact on historic preservation across the state!

1879 Mark Prairie Schoolhouse Disaster Recovery & Restoration
After two large oak trees fell on the building in 2021, the Mark Prairie Schoolhouse—a rural meeting hall—underwent recovery and restoration to create a cultural destination, offering historical, indigenous, and natural resource interpretation for both locals and visitors while continuing to serve as a community gathering place. The mission of this historic destination aligns with Restore Oregon’s mission to reflect Oregon’s diverse cultural heritage across the state, while fostering the uniqueness of rural resources across the state. 

Benson Polytechnic High School
Benson Polytechnic High School’s modernization, spanning over 379,000 square feet, has preserved and seismically upgraded four landmark buildings while introducing four new academic and CTE buildings organized around secure outdoor courtyards and a central commons. This project is an incredible example of forward-thinking restoration, which blends old with appropriate new construction, reflecting Restore Oregon’s mission of revitalization as a tool in combating climate change. The revitalized high school honors the past while serving as a beacon for what is possible in public education. 

Historic Brooklyn Railroad Roundhouse Turntable 
The restoration of the Brooklyn Turntable is a testament to the enduring legacy of railroads and the Golden Age of Steam in American history. This project offers the community an incredible visual representation of their area’s history, reflecting Restore Oregon’s goal to preserve and celebrate Oregon's shared past in its communities. 

John Gumm Building
The adaptive reuse of the John Gumm Building converted an elementary school into a vibrant civic hub, symbolizing thoughtful preservation, innovation, and public stewardship, which promotes Restore Oregon’s goal of advancing preservation in the context of livable, healthy, vibrant, equitable, place-based rural communities. 

Milwaukie City Hall
The adaptive reuse of Milwaukie City Hall transforms the historic Works Progress Administration (WPA) era building into a vibrant commercial and cultural hub in downtown Milwaukie, Oregon. Such essential work reflects Restore Oregon’s mission of encouraging a livable, vibrant community that benefits community members and visitors alike. 

Oregon State University Rehearsal Classroom Building
The Rehearsal Classroom Building, originally a heat plant and later a firing range, has been adaptively reused through preservation in conjunction with the design and construction of an adjacent performing arts center. Its conversion into a choral and arts facility not only preserved the structure’s legacy but also breathed new life into its purpose, extending its relevance for another century. Together, these projects form a campus gateway arts district that promotes a culture of creativity and inclusivity, such values encouraged by Restore Oregon. 

The Holly Theatre Restoration Project
The Holly Theatre restoration, situated in the heart of downtown Medford, is a prime example of Restore Oregon’s belief that preservation can be transformative when driven by design excellence, technical expertise, and an unwavering and determined commitment to the community.

The Joyce
The Joyce rehabilitation project in Portland successfully preserved the building's significant legacy while addressing its deterioration and upgrading it for continued use as Permanent Supportive Housing. Such work reflects Restore Oregon’s strategic commitment to developing new affordable housing options through the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. 

The Merchant Block
The Merchant Block project in Dayton involved the rehabilitation of three vintage buildings. This initiative serves as a strong example of Restore Oregon’s commitment to restoring historic structures while preserving their unique character, thereby encouraging economic development and fostering thriving rural and tourism-anchored communities.

Learn More: https://restoreoregon.org/the-2025-demuro-award-winners/?blm_aid=37669