"Kam Wah Chung is one of our state's cultural treasures," said OPRD Director Wood. "Reopening the museum in its restored state is a tribute to a successful partnership that has combined national and statewide support with a dedicated local preservation effort."

Proceeds from a $1.5 million fundraising campaign chaired by Oberst and led by the Oregon State Parks Trust, the Friends of Kam Wah Chung Museum and the City of John Day helped finance the museum's restoration. The 10-month project involved repairs to the building along with improvements that included new lighting, a security alarm system, high-tech fire detection sensors and a fire suppression system that uses a high-pressure mist. The most visible improvements include restored wallpaper, floors, ceilings and epigrams—brief descriptive or philosophical writings in Chinese lettering seen on walls throughout the building.

The restoration also included an inventory and archiving of the museum's artifacts by a National Parks Service collection team. After their removal during work on the building, many of the 30,000-plus artifacts are back on display in the museum or in the interpretive center. Others found to be in poor condition are still being restored.