The Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS) is on track to soon be able to widely open its doors to the community in the form of a new event center, thanks to a significant infusion of funds from the city. The Medford City Council played a pivotal role in this development with a $50,000 grant, part of a $570,000 allocation to various community groups in September of last year, as reported by Medfordoregon.gov.
SOHS President Doug McGeary has elucidated on the intended use of the funds: "Your funds aren't going to be used for door hinges or wiring," McGeary told the City Councilors during a June meeting, according to Medfordoregon.gov. "Your money is going toward parts of the project the public will see and talk about." These plans further cement the cultural foundations in Medford, aiming to boost not just the aesthetic appeal but the historical narrative often told through its walls.
The ambitious vision for the event center includes a main hall spreading over 4,000 square feet, three rentable conference rooms, a catering kitchen, alongside a gathering space designed with character, and uniquely, a private speakeasy that can complement special events. McGeary has expressed the SOHS's initiative as one that harbors a style and niche with a foot firmly planted in the past's rich soil, granting visitors an atmosphere teeming with historical and cultural depth.
Engaged in active collaboration with architects and contractors, SOHS anticipates that the center will be complete come mid-2026. It hopes to become a hub for cultural tourism, enhancing the regional attractiveness for visitors and locals alike. The vision for the center, McGeary notes, isn't merely about a fresh coat of paint or modern amenities but to create a space where history can actively mingle with the present.
The SOHS building, which residents of Medford may recall as the one-time domicile of JCPenney before it vacated downtown for the Rogue Valley Mall in 1986, sits at 106 N. Central Avenue. Its historical significance provides an evocative canvas for the forthcoming transformation into an event center expected to serve as a nexus for community engagement and celebration of Southern Oregon's heritage.
