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Through the efforts of volunteers and a major financial contribution by Carol Odess, Allen Hall was saved from demolition. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony this Sunday (06-07-15). (Photo courtesy of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp)

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Alabama native Carol Odess, the major benefactor of the Odess Theater, talks about this weekend’s ribbon cutting ceremony (06-07-15) for the newly renovated Allen Hall. Odess was joined by Roger Schmidt, Executive Director of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, to talk about the decades-long effort to save Allen Hall.

Over the past three years, Odess has given over $2 million towards the restoration of Allen Hall. During the summers, Odess has been returning to Sitka to fish and work alongside the renovation effort, sweeping the building and working alongside the crew. Odess first came to Sitka in 2003 with her late husband, Dr. John Odess.

Schmidt talks about the different kinds of local wood used in the building and his plan for the next 100 years.

The dedication ceremony takes place Sunday, June 7 in the Odess Theater at 1 p.m.