Idaho building receives grant
deseretnews.com - Utah News
April 10, 2005

The quest to preserve a historic LDS building in Preston, Idaho, got a $50,000 boost last week from the George S. and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation.

The philanthropic organization notified the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation of the grant for restoration of the Oneida Stake Academy, a 115-year-old building constructed by early Latter-day Saint settlers in the area. The building is the alma mater of the late President Ezra Taft Benson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The academy became a public high school in 1922 and remained in use until the late 1990s.

The Eccles board of trustees supported the costly move of the historic building in 2003 with a $250,000 grant. More than $1 million was raised for relocation, and Fred Woods, executive director of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, said the Eccles Foundation has been "very generous" with the project, especially since its mission centers on supporting Utah projects.

Those hoping to convert the historic building into a community center/cultural arts venue say they need another $2.5 million to complete renovation. Engineers are currently working on the structural-stabilization drawings that will bring the building up to modern standards.

Donations are being accepted in care of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, P.O. Box 555, Preston, ID 83263. For more information, call 208-852-1837.

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