BAKER CITY — Work is “on track” at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, which is closed for an energy-efficient upgrade.

The renovation began in March 2022, and hasn’t been affected much by supply issues, said Sarah Sherman, project manager.

“Hopefully that will continue,” she said.

The center, which is 30 years old and 30,000 square feet, is getting new siding, insulation, roofing, windows and doors.

The $6.5 million remodel, funded in part by the Great Americans Outdoor Act, is expected to reduce energy consumption by 73%.

The center is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

“We want to be good stewards of our natural resources,” said Vale District Manager Wayne Monger, whose office oversees the center. “This design utilizes high thermal insulation value materials and high efficiency heating and cooling technology to counter energy demands during summer and winter.”

Work is about one-third finished.

Sherman described it as a “facelift” because much of the work won’t be obvious to visitors.

“Structurally, it will be the same, but shiny and new,” she said.

So far, construction has included new insulation and a new roof. The next projects focus on new siding, windows, doors and lights.

The heating, ventilating and air conditioning system is expected to take the most time.

Construction is expected to be complete in 2023, but Sherman said it will take about four months to put the center back together because many exhibits were packed away in storage, and boxes were built around displays that stayed, such as the oxen and wagons.

Sherman estimated the center could reopen in late 2023.

In the meantime, those interested in Oregon Trail history can visit NHOTIC’s exhibit inside Baker Heritage Museum.

This partnership will continue through 2023 — and hopefully beyond, Sherman said.

“Being part of the community is what we want to do more of,” she said. “We want to continue that even after we reopen.”

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Admission is $9 adults, $8 seniors, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 and younger.