Outside of the Student Union Building

News Release

LCSC receives Orchid Award for historic preservation

LEWISTON, Idaho – For the second time in as many years, Lewis-Clark State College has been named an Orchid Award recipient for the category of Excellence in Historic Preservation & Contribution to Historic Preservation. The award was presented to LCSC administrators at the 2015 Lewiston Orchid Awards Celebration & Tour Event on Saturday in downtown Lewiston.

The award is given by the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Lewiston and honors those whose projects and ongoing commitments have added to, protected, and preserved the community’s historic resources. Lewis-Clark State College was selected for its recent renovation of the Silverthorne Theatre.

Accepting the award on behalf of the college, Vice President for Finance and Administration Chet Herbst expressed appreciation to the project's architect team, contractors, and LCSC's Physical Plant Director Matt Graves and staff who carried out the project. He also thanked LCSC's students and the state's policy makers who provided the funding to make the vision a reality.

Built in 1924, the Silverthorne Theatre, named after Carolyn Silverthorne who taught theater at the college in the 1920s through the 1950s, is held as one of the architectural highlights within LCSC’s Administration Building.


The renovation, which cost around $1.3 million, featured many upgrades including new windows, lighting, a main stage, a balcony area, seating, and major improvements to the green room and workshop/storage areas. In addition, an outside entrance was added to the west side of the theater to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act access guidelines.

LCSC was also honored with an Orchid Award in 2014 for its renovation of Thomas Jefferson Hall, a building dating back to 1912.

Photos: (1) Silverthorne Theatre during an August all campus meeting. (2) VP Chet Herbst (left) and Physical Plant Director Matt Graves accept Orchid Award certificate at Sept. 19 event.