Burley, Idaho – January 19, 2026, Mount Harrison Heritage Foundation
The historic Burley Theatre, a 1917 vaudeville and silent‑film house located in the heart of downtown Burley, has completed a significant exterior restoration project that included cleaning and repairing the original brick and mortar, reversing non‑historic alterations, and installing new custom entry doors that reflect the theatre’s early architectural character. This milestone was made possible through the skilled work of Abstract Masonry of Utah, Richard Creason of Myers Anderson Architects, D&A Glass Company, and the dedication of countless community volunteers whose time, labor, and passion helped bring the theatre’s historic façade back to life. This project is supported in part by the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant, funded by the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior and the Idaho Heritage Trust fund.
“Every phase of this restoration reconnects us with the generations who built, performed in, and cherished this theatre,” said Brian Muir, President of the Mount Harrison Heritage Foundation. “Seeing the façade restored to its 1917 beauty — brickwork repaired, architectural details preserved, and new doors that honor the original design — feels like watching the theatre breathe again. It’s a powerful reminder of how deeply this building is woven into the identity of our community.”
Muir continued, “We’re not just restoring a building. We’re restoring a gathering place — a home for music, theatre, dance, classic films, and community celebrations.
The Burley Theatre has a long and storied past. Originally opened as a dual‑use venue for vaudeville acts and silent films, it later transitioned fully to movies in the 1960s and remained largely unchanged for decades. Today, under the stewardship of the Mount Harrison Heritage Foundation, the theatre is being transformed into a modern, flexible performance venue while preserving its historic character. The Foundation — known for its decades‑long commitment to advancing the arts in Southern Idaho — envisions the Burley Theatre as a home for live productions, concerts, recitals, classic film screenings, and community events for generations to come.
The restoration of the exterior façade not only protects the building but also enhances its presence as a cultural anchor in downtown Burley. The Mount Harrison Heritage Foundation is working to restore both the exterior and interior to a level that will allow the theatre to reopen and welcome the community back later this year.
For updates on the restoration, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support the next phase of the project, visit burleytheatre.org or follow the theatre on Facebook at facebook.com/burleytheater.