On July 30, McMenamins Old St. Francis School celebrated its recent expansion, which more than doubled its number of rooms. Through the use of distinct design elements and artistic applications, the iconic lodging and entertainment venue showed its commitment to historic preservation when it unveiled two new buildings aptly named the Education House and the Art House.
In order to build the new structures, three bungalows that were part of the original St. Francis School were sold and moved off of the property still intact. The new buildings were designed using elements from the original bungalows in an effort to preserve the property's history.
The Education House has 17 rooms that each display paintings that honor St. Francis School's former teachers including Donna Lutzky, the school's first art teacher. The Art House's 24 rooms feature scenes hand-painted by on-staff artists. "We brought together 24 artists that have worked with McMenamins over the years to create all the art in both new buildings," McMenamins' lead artist Olivia Behm says. "Each hand-painted headboard or canvas honors a piece of Bend history or depicts the lore and culture of McMenamins."
The new buildings are full of surprises, such as the Art House's tiny hidden bar and two intricately painted and secret black light rooms. Guests also enjoy complimentary Mason jars for beer fill-ups and freshly brewed McMenamins coffee in every room.
"With the expansion, we're able to host more Bend travelers and accommodate groups large and small," said Free Star Yost, Old St. Francis School property manager. "But give us a call soon, we're already booking up!"
McMenamins Old St. Francis School
700 NW Bond St., Bend
541-382-5174
![Get Your Art on the Wall ▶ [with video] (con versión en español)](https://media2.bendsource.com/bend/imager/get-your-art-on-the-wall-with-video-con-version-en-espanol/u/r-bigsquare/12934834/artwatch1.1.jpg?cb=1680199454)
