Mural Planned for Cambridge Clinic
The Cambridge Community Clinic has been in its current building since 1971. This building has some interesting history. At one time, it was home to a bar with an ice house in the very back. A time capsule dating back to 1971 is in the corner of the building; when and if it will be opened is unknown.
Cambridge Community Clinic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, made up of dedicated volunteers. Funding for maintenance and improvements comes from renting the building to the dentist and doctors as well as generous donations from local citizens. Improvements that have been made over the years include new floors, cabinetry, a new furnace, donated medical equipment, improved windows, an awning, window signage, and a complete clinic remodel done around 2000.
The next project the board is looking forward to is adding a mural on the north facing wall of the clinic building. The mural was inspired by the heading on the Upper Country News Reporter, the local paper that was owned by the Dopf family of Cambridge from 1937 through 2016. Instead of being black and white, like the original heading, the mural will be in full color. With the basic idea decided, local artist Chris Braun painted the current design with input from the board. Chris was offered the job of painting the mural, but declined because of the height of the wall. The job was then offered to muralist Linda McMillin, from Lewiston.
Linda has painted many murals in Idaho, with agriculture being a recurring theme. She was commissioned to paint a 35-foot-long agriculture mural while she was teaching art at Parma High School. That mural is on a wall, in the tunnel that runs under the Idaho State Capitol. Another of her murals can be seen on an onion shed, near Parma. In February of this year, she finished a mural for the Lewiston City Library titled, “Heart of the Monster.” Local residents may remember Linda painting the Cambridge Golden Rule Building, which is now home to Li’s Chinese Kitchen.
The north facing wall of the clinic is in good shape and was repointed several years ago. Repointing is the process of removing damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar. During this process, bricks from the old Cambridge High School were used to fill in the area where rafters once extended out of the wall.
The mural is expected to take about four weeks to complete. The first step is priming the wall, which they hope to have completed before this article goes to print. The estimated cost of the entire project is under $15,000. That cost includes the muralist, paint, and other necessary materials. Last fall the firemen cleaned the wall and Linda thought it was good to go.
Generous businesses and individuals have already contributed funds and other forms of support. One individual has offered the use of a lift; another has offered to help prime the wall; and yet another has offered lodging for Linda’s stay.
Although, the Cambridge Community Clinic board is financially able to pay for the mural, they believe those funds should be kept for the needs of the clinic itself. They are hopeful that the community and others will want to support this project and donate towards the mural. Donations can be made to the paint fund at the Cambridge Lumber Company, or dropped off at Loveland’s General Store. Donations can also be mailed to: Cambridge Community Clinic, PO Box 262, Cambridge, ID 83610. Donations are tax deductible.
