Rex Theater Master Plan Now Complete
With generous funding totaling $45,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Marcus Anderson Family Foundation, and building owner Brian Runberg, the Foundation has completed a comprehensive Master Plan to guide the rehabilitation of Priest River’s historic Rex Theater.
This plan is a major milestone in preserving and revitalizing the theater, providing a clear framework for moving forward with restoration and future use.
To kick off the planning process, the board hosted an Open House on December 5, 2024, welcoming back the project architects and meeting with local contractors Daryl & Craig Turner to assess the building’s condition. The next day, a full-day workshop brought together architects Dawn Bushnaq and Peter Law, structural engineer Craig Crowley, and Priest River contractors including Richard & Cody Knappe to further evaluate the building.
Since January, the board’s building committee has met monthly with the design team, culminating in the completion of the Master Plan in June 2025.
The plan is built around three core principles:
Preserve What’s Meaningful: Retain character-defining elements such as the auditorium volume, brick pilasters, and recessed entry.
Design for Flexibility Support a range of public and performance uses with open planning and adaptable infrastructure.
Phase Strategically: Align rehabilitation phases with funding and design each phase to leave the theater functional and code-compliant for interim use.
The Foundation extends deep gratitude to the Priest River community and the experts who helped shape this vision.
Open House & Workshop
The Foundation for the Rex Theater is participating in the annual fundraising event with Idaho
April 28 - May 1, 2025
Idaho Gives is a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center designed to bring the state together by raising money and awareness for Idaho nonprofits. We’re excited to participate in this statewide fundraiser and would appreciate your generosity.
It’s 4 days of Idaho generosity, and all contributions made to the Rex Foundation will go directly towards the design & construction of the superstructure. We’re talking about everything from the ground up: flooring, beams, posts, roof. Having the superstructure plans will help us move forward to ensure the theater’s stability, which will mean we’ll be able to open our doors for students & community performers to use the theater. But to do that, we need your help & generous contributions.
National Trust for Historic Preservation with
Marcus Anderson Family Foundation
Award Rex Theater $30,000
October 2024
The Foundation for the Rex Theater is excited to announce that it was awarded two $15,000 grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation with a matching grant from the Marcus Anderson Family Foundation. These two grants will fund the development of a Master Plan for the rehabilitation of the historic theater. The Rehabilitation Master Plan is a two-part process that will culminate in a phased plan for improvements to the Rex Theater. The intent is to create a phased rehabilitation plan that will allow the Foundation to operate the theater between phases and to work toward full rehabilitation over the next 10+ years. The Master Plan process will assist the Rex Board and key stakeholders in defining and documenting a shared vision for rehabilitating and operating the historic theater. Architect Dawn Bushnaq will lead the effort.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a leading funder in the historic preservation movement, awarding more than $13 million to organizations across the country last year. Established in 1969, National Trust Preservation Funds encourage preservation at the local level, supporting nonprofit organizations and public agencies by providing seed money for preservation projects. "Organizations like the Foundation for the Rex Theater help to ensure that communities all across the United States retain their unique sense of place," said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "We are honored to provide a grant to the Foundation of the Rex Theater, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared national heritage."
The Marcus Anderson Family Foundation is a self-funded, Idaho based nonprofit with an attention to community involvement and improvement. “The Marcus Anderson Family Foundation is proud to be of continued support for the Rex Theater. We are committed to fostering growth and providing resources where they are needed most,” said Marcus Anderson, President. “Our foundation remains dedicated to making a lasting impact. We are honored to uplift and strengthen the Priest River community, and those we serve.”
In Memoriam
Dan Eskelson
June 8, 1947 - August 4, 2024
Ju
Dan was Vice President and an integral board member since he joined the Board of Directors. Deeply committed to the mission of the Rex, Dan took leadership in developing & maintaining our social media & local marketing of the Rex. He also was known in the Priest River community for his creativity and love of nature. The Rex benefitted greatly from his photography as well as his musicianship when he charmed all at the 2023 Timber Days with the uplifting music from his hammer dulcimer.
All of us at the Rex Board are deeply saddened about Dan’s death. We will miss this thoughtful, generous, and talented colleague; and in the future, we will acknowledge Dan with a commemorative within the walls of Rex. We wish Cindy and the Eskelson family solace in the days and months ahead.
Thank you to all who attended and donated at our annual fundraiser!
We had a successful night of community and revelry. We hope you enjoyed our night on Main Street!
Some highlights:
Films of Priest River's logging industry
Outdoor music featuring two local bands: Conor Yarbrough and Miah Kohal
Wine Tasting & Fundraiser
Timber Days at The Rex Theater
July 26, 2024
Timber Days at The Rex Theater
July 29, 2023
Our Centennial Celebration was a success! The community came out in great support for the Rex Theater: so encouraging that we are planning more events in the near future. All had a good time and the wine flowed freely!
Some highlights:
Presentation by museum historian Kris Runberg-Smith, PhD on movie pioneer Nell Shipman and her ties to Priest Lake
Viewing of Shipman’s “The Grub-Stake",” the first film shown at The Rex Theater in 1923.
Indoor music featuring local rock band, “Meat Sweats.”
Wine Tasting & Fundraiser
Ace Hardware
Awards Rex Theater
$1,700
May 31, 2023
Contact us.
info@rextheater.org
(208) 255-9175
50 Main Street, Suite 100
Priest River, ID 83856