Historic Preservation Projects: September 2026 Update
The National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center crew and Conservation Legacy interns have been hard at work at Minidoka National Historic Site this summer. Thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Funds, four projects are underway at the site: restoration of the Historic Root Cellar, Barracks, and Mess Hall, as well as the construction of a new modern maintenance and staff facility.
This summer, crews primarily focused on the Root Cellar, which saw big changes over the spring and summer months. In the Root Cellar, HPTC staff have completed both the excavation and stabilization phase of the project and are now working on the North and South Portal, including log structural restoration.
The team removed skip sheathing from the northern portion of the roof before continuing to remove ra
The team is currently labeling rafters with button caps, removing skip sheathing from the northern portion of the roof, and continuing on to selectively remove rafters based on signs of deterioration. Logs are also being chosen and fabricated to replace those designated posts, rafters, and purlins.
At the same time, HPTC carpenters are milling the interlocking shiplap for the siding.
An HPTC crew member at PWR milled the rabbet on opposing long edges to create the interlocking shiplap for siding. Photo credit: A. Wisernig
In the historic Barrack and Mess Hall, the HPTC crew has set up a temporary safety perimeter around the work sites. These spaces will be closed to the public during the restoration process to ensure the safety of visitors. Windows were then removed to begin the restoration process. Window openings were temporarily filled with plywood and pressed against the window jamb to create the same seal as the window sash (the wood surrounding the panes of glass). The sashes were stationed in small wood forms for safe keeping. The sashes were then stamped with their corresponding window numbers so they can be reinstalled in the same window opening. Temporary doors were also installed in the Mess Hall.
To learn more, visit minidoka.org/project/restoration-projects.
Comments