McMenamins Old St. Francis School celebrating 90th birthday with weekend festivities
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — McMenamins Old St. Francis School in downtown Bend is celebrating its 90th birthday with a weekend full of live music, food and drink specials, and festivities open to the public.
The celebration runs Friday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 15, at 700 NW Bond Street. The event is free, open to all ages and will feature three days of entertainment.
Live music will include Garcia Birthday Band on Friday and Saturday, followed by Jeremy Garrett Band on Sunday. Tickets for the performances are available online.
The property first opened in 1936 as St. Francis School, the first parochial school established in Central Oregon. It was founded through the work of Father Luke Sheehan, an Irish Capuchin priest who arrived in Bend in 1910 to serve the area’s largely Irish sheepherder community.
Built during the Great Depression, the school originally had four classrooms and 145 students. Enrollment eventually grew to more than 300 students, prompting expansions in 1953, 1960 and 1968. The 1968 addition included a parish center with a gym, stage and cafeteria.
The school moved to a modern campus in 2000, and McMenamins took over the historic property. After renovations, it reopened as the Old St. Francis School in November 2004.
Today, the former classrooms have been transformed into lodging rooms, alongside a pub, brewery, movie theater, event spaces and a soaking pool. The property also features original artwork inspired by the school’s history, displayed alongside historical photographs.
Visitors can also discover some of the property’s hidden features, including secret hallways, rooms and a secret bar tucked away in the Art and Ed Houses.
Event details:
When: Friday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 15 Where: McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond Street, Bend Cost: Free; all ages welcome Entertainment: Garcia Birthday Band (Friday and Saturday) and Jeremy Garrett Band (Sunday) Click here to follow the original article.