Rebuilt after the Great Fire in 1894, the Norway Opera House stands proudly in the center of historic Norway, Maine. Over the years, it had fallen into disrepair. The Town of Norway recently acaquired the building through an eminent domain process and a generous $200,000 donation by Bea and Bill Damon.

The Norway Opera House is now ready for rehabilitation after recent extensive stabilization work. Rehabilitation will include high-impact energy improvements with little or no impact on existing historic features. These strategies will include installing insulation around the retail spaces, improving electric lighting efficiency, upgrading the mechanical systems, installing double glazed storefront glass and permanently repairing the rear wall.

The Town of Norway has received a grant from the Communities for Maine's Future in the amount of $400,000 for rehabilitation. The Town recently transferred ownership of the Opera House to the non-profit Norway Opera House Corporation. The NOHC will borrow $400,000 from Norway Savings Bank, to be paid back, in part, by using eligible rehabilitation tax credits. The NOHC's part of the loan repayment is $180,000, a conservative investment given its long term value.

Through a combination of an organized capital campaign and multiple grant applications, the Norway Opera House will be saved for future generations.