The concerns raised by Vashon Allied Arts over a proposal to designate Center as a historic district should by no means overshadow the organization’s longtime support of historic preservation on this island. After all, this is the group that took over a 1912 Odd Fellows Hall 31 years ago and turned it into a viable, thriving arts center.

It’s not easy being caretakers of an old building. In recent years, VAA has had to insulate the building, replace the roof, fix the foundation and install a sprinkler system, among other tasks. And this won’t end once the new Vashon Center for the Arts is built, since the Blue Heron is designed to be an integral part of the new arts campus. In fact, future plans call for the building’s interior to be restored and reconfigured for VAA’s dance and education programs.

On a recent trip to New England, I passed through many small towns where old fraternal lodges sat empty and neglected. As our own Odd Fellows Hall celebrates its 100th year, I’m glad it’s been spared a similar fate.

— Fred Albert